COLOMBO, August 27, 2026 — Sri Lanka produced a remarkable fightback to force a draw in the second Test against India at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, but India’s commanding victory in the opening Test saw them clinch the two-match series 1-0.
The draw was secured through an outstanding display of resilience from Sri Lanka, who were forced to follow on after India posted a massive 503 for nine declared and dismissed the hosts for 290 in their first innings. India had won the first Test in Galle by 165 runs.
The standout performer for Sri Lanka was Sonal Dinusha, who emerged as the major positive of the series. The young left-hander scored centuries in both innings of the Colombo Test, making 103 in the first innings before producing an unbeaten 133 from 264 balls in the second innings. His marathon knock carried Sri Lanka through a difficult final day and ultimately denied India a series-clinching victory in Colombo.
Dinusha’s second-innings century was particularly significant because Sri Lanka resumed the final day with only a 16-run lead and four wickets in hand. He first combined with Keshara Nuwantha, who made 46, before standing firm with the lower order as India struggled to force a breakthrough. Dinusha eventually guided Sri Lanka to 429 for nine before the match was declared a draw.
His consistency throughout the series was equally impressive. Dinusha scored 84 and 100 in the first Test and followed that with 103 and 133 not out in Colombo, giving him four consecutive scores of at least fifty against India. His performances have provided Sri Lanka with one of the clearest positives from a difficult series.
Sri Lanka also received valuable contributions from Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who scored 80 in the first innings and followed it with a fighting 92 in the second innings. Keshara Nuwantha and Lahiru Kumara also played important supporting roles during the final-day resistance.
India, however, dominated large portions of the series. Their batting depth was again evident in Colombo, where Devdutt Padikkal scored 117 and Dhruv Jurel made an unbeaten 115, while captain Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant also contributed half-centuries. India’s total of 503 for nine declared placed Sri Lanka under enormous pressure.
India’s bowlers also maintained the pressure, with Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar taking three wickets each during Sri Lanka’s first innings. Ravindra Jadeja and the rest of the Indian attack kept Sri Lanka on the defensive before the hosts’ remarkable final-day resistance changed the course of the match.
For India, the series victory underlined their superior overall performance, particularly their ability to build imposing totals and control the opening Test. For Sri Lanka, however, the Colombo draw could provide renewed confidence.
Above all, the emergence of Sonal Dinusha as a determined and technically capable Test batter gives Sri Lanka a significant reason for optimism. His four consecutive major contributions against India demonstrated patience, temperament and the ability to perform under extreme pressure.
India leave Sri Lanka with a 1-0 series victory, while Sri Lanka can take considerable credit for refusing to surrender in Colombo — with Dinusha’s remarkable unbeaten 133 standing as the defining performance of their fightback.
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