Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Gary Kirsten Praises Jurel, Dinusha After Colombo Test Draw
Sri Lanka and India played a Test match that ended in a draw.
Sonal Dinusha scored two centuries for Sri Lanka.
Gary Kirsten said Dinusha handled pressure very well.
He also said Sri Lanka still needs to improve its bowling so it can take all 20 Indian wickets.
Kirsten praised young Sri Lankan batter Pasindu Sooriyabandra for performing on debut.
He liked how India's Devdutt Padikkal played carefully and avoided unnecessary risks.
Kirsten also praised Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel.
He said Jurel has excellent technique, plays short balls well and wants to score many runs.
Kirsten described Jurel as a world-class player.
Sri Lanka coach Gary Kirsten praised Sonal Dinusha after his twin centuries helped secure a draw against India.
Kirsten said Sri Lanka must find ways to take 20 wickets and convert competitive performances into Test wins.
He praised Pasindu Sooriyabandra for making an impression on debut under pressure.
India's Devdutt Padikkal was lauded for disciplined, low-risk batting, especially during his century in Galle.
Kirsten called India's Dhruv Jurel a world-class player with excellent technique and strong short-ball skills.
- Who
- Sri Lanka coach Gary Kirsten, Sri Lankan batter Sonal Dinusha, and Indian batters Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal.
- What
- Kirsten praised several young batters after the second Test between Sri Lanka and India ended in a draw.
- When
- The comments were made on Thursday after the second Test.
- Where
- The match was played at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, with Padikkal's praised century coming in Galle.
- Why
- Dinusha scored twin centuries, while Jurel and Padikkal impressed Kirsten with their Test-batting skills.
- Match result
- The second Test between Sri Lanka and India ended in a draw.
- Sonal Dinusha
- He scored twin centuries for Sri Lanka.
- Sri Lanka's concern
- Kirsten said the team must improve its ability to take 20 wickets.
- Dhruv Jurel
- Kirsten called him a world-class player and praised his technique and short-ball skills.
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Kirsten praised his disciplined Test batting and limited risk-taking.
- Pasindu Sooriyabandra
- The batter was praised for taking his opportunity under pressure on debut.
- India's first innings
- India made 503 for nine declared, with Jurel unbeaten on 115.