Sonal Dinusha emerged as Sri Lanka’s biggest revelation in the two-Test series against India, turning years of hard work into a breakthrough performance on the international stage. His journey began with a remarkable family sacrifice, with his first cricket bat bought by his sister after she borrowed money for it.
Dinusha finished the series with 420 runs at an average of 140, but his biggest contribution came in Colombo. Sri Lanka were forced to follow on after being bowled out for 290 and conceding a 213-run first-innings lead, yet Dinusha stayed unbeaten on 133 from 264 balls in the second innings to help the hosts reach 429/9 and secure a draw.
SL vs IND 2nd Test Day 5: Highlights
Speaking to PTI, Dinusha’s trusted coach, Ashan Priyanjan, recalled the difficult circumstances surrounding his early cricketing years and the sacrifices made by his family.
“His sister borrowed some money and bought a bat for him, his first cricket bat. The family did not have much money and whatever it has earned now is because of Dinusha. It’s their only income,” Priyanjan said.
“He is very attached to his father, mother and siblings. I think he is attached to cricket in the same way.”
Dinusha’s marathon effort in Colombo was backed by extensive preparation. Before the Test, he called Priyanjan to discuss India’s spin attack, after which he worked specifically on his sweep and reverse sweep against left-arm and off-spin at the Colombo Cricket Club.
THE BAT THAT STARTED IT ALL
Dinusha’s route into cricket was not straightforward. He was also serious about basketball before school coach Susantha Felix Dias noticed him playing and brought him into the cricket team.
The youngster did not have a bat or proper cricket equipment at the time. His sister’s decision to borrow money and buy him his first bat became an early turning point in a career that has now reached the international level.
Priyanjan first saw Dinusha training at the Colombo Cricket Club when he was around 11 or 12 and quickly noticed his dedication.
“I told him once that he needs to have a good sweep shot to be successful against spinners because he will play a lot of cricket in Asian countries. From that point onwards, he practised that shot for some two hours at nets, just sweep,” Priyanjan said.
That work later became one of Dinusha’s biggest weapons against India. He accumulated 173 runs through sweep shots against spin during the series, surpassing Joe Root’s previous mark of 160 in a Test series.
Former Sri Lanka A batter Avishka Gunawardene also saw the same willingness to adapt during a tour of Australia. After struggling against short balls, Dinusha asked for additional sessions with throwdown specialists and subsequently made 105 and 88 in successive unofficial Tests.
HOW DINUSHA BECAME INDIA’S NIGHTMARE
What made Sonal Dinusha’s series against India so striking was not just the volume of runs, but the way he repeatedly found answers whenever the visitors appeared close to breaking through. He combined patience with a willingness to attack spin, while his ability to bat deep became especially valuable when Sri Lanka’s lower order was under pressure.
Dinusha’s numbers against India underline just how influential he was across the two Tests.
- 420 runs from four innings at an average of 140
- Three centuries and one fifty across the series
- 133 not out off 264 balls in Colombo’s second innings
- 103 in the first innings of the Colombo Test
- 173 runs through sweep shots against spin, surpassing Root’s previous mark of 160
- Became only the third batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test between India and Sri Lanka
- Became the eighth batter to score three centuries in a two-Test series
- Became only the fifth batter to score twin centuries from No. 6 or lower in a Test
The defining knock came when Sri Lanka were staring at defeat after following on. India needed only four wickets on the final day to complete a series sweep, but Dinusha refused to give them the opening they needed.
He repeatedly used the sweep and reverse sweep against Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar and debutant Saransh Jain, while also showing the patience to defend when India found the right areas.
Dinusha had already scored 103 in the first innings, but his unbeaten 133 in the second innings proved even more valuable as he stayed in long enough to take Sri Lanka to safety. His efforts earned him the Player of the Match award as Sri Lanka escaped with a draw.
– Ends
