Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Gill Says India Must Learn After Sri Lanka Draw
India and Sri Lanka played to a draw in the second Test in Colombo.
India still won the two-match series 1-0.
India had hoped to win the match after taking control on the second day.
Sri Lanka’s lower-order batters resisted for three days and prevented India from completing a clean sweep.
Indian captain Shubman Gill said his team could learn from the way Sri Lanka played.
Devdutt Padikkal scored two centuries and was named Player of the Series.
Manav Suthar took the most wickets in the series for India.
India will next hope for a strong Test series in New Zealand later this year.
India drew the second Test in Colombo but won the two-match series 1-0.
Shubman Gill said India should learn from Sri Lanka’s stubborn three-day resistance.
Devdutt Padikkal was named Player of the Series after scoring 328 runs, including two centuries.
Manav Suthar led the series wicket-taking charts with 16 wickets in two matches.
India’s draw reduced its World Test Championship points percentage, leaving it fifth before the New Zealand Tests.
- Who
- India, led by Shubman Gill, and Sri Lanka played the second Test.
- What
- The match ended in a draw, while India won the two-match series 1-0.
- When
- The report was dated August 28; India’s New Zealand Tests are scheduled to begin November 19.
- Where
- Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- Sri Lanka’s tailenders and Sonal Dinusha resisted India’s bowling for three days, preventing India from securing a clean sweep.
India’s Assessment
Sri Lanka’s Resistance
Result and expectations
India’s Assessment
India viewed the draw as a disappointing result after hoping to win following the second day, although it secured the series 1-0.
Sri Lanka’s Resistance
Sri Lanka’s prolonged resistance enabled it to avoid a defeat and stopped India from completing a clean sweep.
Performance lessons
India’s Assessment
Shubman Gill said India should give Sri Lanka credit and learn from the opponent’s performance.
Sri Lanka’s Resistance
Sri Lanka’s tailenders and Sonal Dinusha’s sweeping helped sustain the innings for three days.
Series positives
India’s Assessment
India highlighted Devdutt Padikkal’s two centuries and Manav Suthar’s 16 wickets as major positives.
Sri Lanka’s Resistance
Sri Lanka produced notable individual performances through Dinusha’s century and Sooriyabandara’s 80.
- Series result
- India won the two-match Test series 1-0.
- Match result
- The second Test in Colombo ended in a draw.
- India’s first innings
- India made 503/9, with centuries from Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel.
- Sri Lanka’s first innings
- Sri Lanka was dismissed for 290, led by Sonal Dinusha’s 103 and Pasindu Sooriyabandara’s 80.
- Player of the Series
- Devdutt Padikkal scored 328 runs in three innings at an average of 109.33.
- Leading wicket-taker
- Manav Suthar took 16 wickets in two matches at an average of 21.06.
- World Test Championship
- India’s points percentage fell after the draw, leaving the team fifth in the standings.