Sonal Dinusha emerged as one of Sri Lanka’s biggest positives in the two-Test series against India, producing a remarkable run of scores to establish himself as the standout batter for the hosts. His performances became even more significant in the Colombo Test, where his marathon unbeaten century helped Sri Lanka escape with a draw.
Dinusha finished the series with 420 runs at an average of 140, scoring three centuries and a fifty across four innings. He was consistent throughout, registering scores of 100, 84, 103 and an unbeaten 133. His ability to occupy the crease for long periods proved crucial against India’s strong bowling attack.
His most important contribution came in the second innings of the Colombo Test. Sri Lanka were in deep trouble after being bowled out for 290 in their first innings and were forced to follow on after India posted 503/9 declared.
With the match seemingly in India’s control, Dinusha produced a remarkable display of patience. He scored an unbeaten 133 off 264 balls, batting through the final day as India desperately searched for the final wicket. His resistance, alongside crucial support from the lower order, allowed Sri Lanka to reach 429/9 and secure a hard-fought draw.
Although India won the series 1-0, Dinusha provided Sri Lanka with a major reason for optimism. His composure, concentration and ability to bat under immense pressure made him the unlikely hero of the Colombo Test and one of the biggest stories of the series.
Here are some numbers from the Sri Lanka vs India second Test
3 – Sonal Dinusha became only the third batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test between Sri Lanka and India. The other two are Duleep Mendis, who scored 105 in both innings in Chennai in 1982, and Aravinda de Silva, who made 146 and 120 in Colombo (SSC) in 1997.
8 – Sonal Dinusha became only the eighth batter to score three centuries in a two-match Test series. The others are Aravinda de Silva (vs Pakistan and India in 1997), Jacques Kallis (vs Pakistan in 2007), Hashim Amla (vs India in 2010), Kumar Sangakkara (vs Bangladesh in 2013), Younis Khan (vs Australia in 2014), Marnus Labuschagne (vs West Indies in 2022) and Kane Williamson (vs South Africa in 2024).
8 – Sonal Dinusha became the eighth Sri Lankan batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test, joining Aravinda de Silva (twice), Kumar Sangakkara (twice), Duleep Mendis, Asanka Gurusinha, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis.
173 – Sonal Dinusha now has the most runs in a Test innings while playing the sweep against spin, with 173 against India in Sri Lanka in 2026. The previous best was Joe Root’s 160 against Sri Lanka in 2021, followed by Ben Duckett’s 112 against Pakistan in 2022 and Root’s 106 against India in 2021.
5 – Sonal Dinusha became only the fifth batter to score twin centuries from No. 6 or lower in a Test match, joining Allan Border (150* & 153 vs Pakistan, Lahore, 1980), Tillakaratne Dilshan (162 & 143 vs Bangladesh, Chattogram, 2009), Dhananjaya de Silva (102 & 108 vs Bangladesh, Sylhet, 2024) and Kamindu Mendis (102 & 164 vs Bangladesh, Sylhet, 2024).
4 – Sri Lanka saved a Test for the fourth time after being asked to follow on, with their previous instances coming against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in 1994, England at Lord’s in 2006, West Indies in Galle in 2010, and now India in Colombo (SSC) in 2026.
– Ends
