Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Gambhir Praises Dinusha After Sri Lanka Saves Colombo Test
India played Sri Lanka in a two-match Test cricket series.
India won the first match in Galle by 165 runs.
The second match in Colombo ended in a draw.
India had taken a big 213-run lead and made Sri Lanka bat again immediately.
Sri Lanka was in danger of losing the match.
Sonal Dinusha then scored 133 runs without being dismissed.
His batting helped Sri Lanka reach 429 runs for nine wickets and survive.
India won the series 1-0, while Gambhir praised both his team and Dinusha.
India won the two-Test series against Sri Lanka 1-0 after winning the opener in Galle by 165 runs.
The second Test at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club ended in a draw on Thursday.
Sonal Dinusha scored an unbeaten 133 off 264 balls to prevent India from completing a clean sweep.
Sri Lanka reached 429/9 in 154 overs after following on from India’s 213-run first-innings lead.
Gautam Gambhir praised India’s character and mental toughness while giving Dinusha a special shoutout.
- Who
- India, coached by Gautam Gambhir, played Sri Lanka, with Sonal Dinusha leading the hosts’ resistance.
- What
- India won the two-Test series 1-0 after the second Test was drawn.
- When
- The second Test ended on Thursday, and Gambhir issued his praise on Friday.
- Where
- The drawn Test was played at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo; the opening Test was held in Galle.
- Why
- Sri Lanka avoided defeat because Dinusha’s unbeaten 133 helped the team withstand India’s follow-on pressure.
India’s Series Victory
Sri Lanka’s Resistance
Meaning of the Draw
India’s Series Victory
India secured the series 1-0 and highlighted its character, patience and mental toughness.
Sri Lanka’s Resistance
Sri Lanka’s fightback denied India a clean sweep and produced a hard-fought draw.
Follow-On Pressure
India’s Series Victory
India’s 213-run first-innings lead enabled it to enforce the follow-on and put Sri Lanka under pressure.
Sri Lanka’s Resistance
Sri Lanka resisted the pressure, reaching 429/9 without being bowled out again.
Defining Performance
India’s Series Victory
India dominated enough of the series to win the overall contest 1-0.
Sri Lanka’s Resistance
Dinusha’s unbeaten 133 was the defining performance of the drawn Colombo Test.
- Series result
- India won the two-Test series 1-0.
- Opening Test
- India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in Galle.
- Second Test result
- The Colombo Test ended in a draw.
- Dinusha’s score
- Sonal Dinusha made an unbeaten 133 off 264 balls.
- Sri Lanka’s second innings
- Sri Lanka finished on 429/9 after 154 overs.
- India’s lead
- India took a 213-run first-innings lead and enforced the follow-on.
- Series batting record
- Dinusha scored 420 runs in four innings, including three centuries.
- Key partnership
- Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha shared a 112-run seventh-wicket stand.
Sources
'Test Cricket Needs Character': Gautam Gambhir Hails Team India's 'Mental Toughness', Gives Special Shoutout To Sonal Dinusha
Gautam Gambhir gives shout to Sri Lanka's batting hero Sonal Dinusha
'Special shoutout to Sonal Dinusha': Gambhir praises Sri Lanka batter’s gritty knock