COLOMBO: Sonal Dinusha played an impressive innings of 133* to help Sri Lanka secure a draw in the second Test against India at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Thursday.
The 25-year-old left-hander remained unbeaten on 133 as Sri Lanka finished their second innings at 429-9 before the two teams shook hands, allowing India to claim the two-match series 1-0.
India had secured a commanding 165-run victory in the opening Test in Galle.
The visitors posted 503-9 declared in their first innings in Colombo before bowling Sri Lanka out for 290 and enforcing the follow-on.
Sri Lanka resumed the final day at 229-6, with Dinusha unbeaten on seven and Keshara Nuwantha on three.
The pair frustrated India’s bowling attack during the opening session, putting together a valuable 112-run partnership to keep Sri Lanka’s hopes of avoiding a series whitewash alive.
READ: Pakistan win toss against England in Lord’s Test
India finally made the breakthrough in the first over after lunch when left-arm spinner Manav Suthar dismissed Nuwantha at second slip for a fighting 46 off 150 balls.
Ravindra Jadeja then removed Prabath Jayasuriya for two, but Dinusha refused to surrender.
He found another determined partner in Lahiru Kumara, with the pair adding 47 runs for the ninth wicket from 170 deliveries.
Kumara faced 90 balls for his 12 before Jadeja eventually ended the stubborn resistance, bringing Asitha Fernando to the crease.
Fernando remained unbeaten without scoring despite facing 24 deliveries as Dinusha continued to frustrate India.
Sri Lanka eventually declared at 429-9 in the final session, effectively ending India’s hopes of completing a 2-0 series sweep.
Dinusha was the standout performer, remaining unbeaten after facing 264 deliveries and striking eight fours and two sixes.
