Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Sonal Dinusha’s Defiance Denies India a Test Series Sweep
Sri Lanka played India in a Test cricket series.
India had hoped to win every match in the series.
On the last day, Sri Lanka was in danger because it had only a small lead and four wickets left.
Sonal Dinusha batted for a long time without getting out.
He scored 133 runs and helped Sri Lanka avoid losing.
This gave Sri Lanka a draw instead of an Indian series sweep.
Dinusha also scored centuries in two straight Tests.
He finished the series as its best batter.
Sonal Dinusha scored 133 not out to rescue Sri Lanka on the final day.
Sri Lanka drew the final Test after resuming only 16 runs ahead with four wickets remaining.
Dinusha made consecutive centuries in the second and final Tests of the series.
He finished as the series’ leading run-scorer with 420 runs at an average of 140.
His current Test batting average of 86.57 has prompted comparisons with Sri Lankan greats.
- Who
- Sonal Dinusha led Sri Lanka’s resistance against India, while Devdutt Padikkal was India’s prominent batter.
- What
- Dinusha’s unbeaten 133 helped Sri Lanka draw the final Test and deny India a series sweep.
- When
- On the final day of the series, after play resumed on Thursday.
- Where
- The final Test was played at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
- Why
- Dinusha defended for a long period and built the runs Sri Lanka needed to reach safety with four wickets remaining.
- Dinusha’s score
- 133 not out from 264 balls, including eight fours and two sixes
- Series runs
- 420
- Series batting average
- 140
- Current Test average
- 86.57
- Sri Lanka’s position
- Sri Lanka resumed 16 runs ahead with four wickets in hand
- Match result
- The final Test ended in a draw
- Notable record
- Dinusha became the third Sri Lankan after Duleep Mendis and Aravinda de Silva to score centuries in both innings of a Test against India