Colombo: Dinusha’s unbeaten century secures draw for Sri Lanka against India
Sri Lanka’s resilient stand
Sri Lanka‘s Sonal Dinusha delivered a notable performance, scoring an unbeaten 133 to secure a draw against India in the second Test. This result prevented a series whitewash for the visitors, with the series concluding 1-0 in India’s favour. Dinusha’s efforts were crucial in denying India a 2-0 series sweep.
Dinusha’s rearguard action was a significant factor, as he forged a crucial 112-run partnership with Keshara Nuwantha, which frustrated the Indian bowlers. He displayed considerable discipline and defensive skill on a pitch that offered limited assistance to seamers. Despite losing partners, Dinusha maintained his composure, batting with the tail to help save the match for his team.
The middle-order batter engineered a remarkable rearguard action, helping the hosts salvage a draw and deny India a series sweep. Dinusha’s 133 not out marked his second century of the match and his third in four innings, propelling Sri Lanka to 429-9 while following on when the players agreed to a draw.
India’s frustration and tactical decisions
India had been in a strong position to win the Test, but the draw meant they squandered an opportunity to strengthen their World Test Championship (WTC) final chances. The Indian team’s body language suggested they had already accepted the draw as Sri Lanka’s lead extended beyond 200 runs and limited time remained in the match. A result in India’s favour became increasingly unlikely as the game progressed.
The Indian bowlers, including Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Dhruv Jurel, were brought into the attack, indicating a shift in strategy as a victory seemed out of reach. Mohammed Siraj, one of India’s key bowlers, was not running in with his usual intensity, and the pitch, while offering turn, did not present a significant threat to the batsmen.
The tone for Sri Lanka’s resistance was set by the partnership between Dinusha and Nuwantha, who batted for over 40 overs. Nuwantha alone faced 150 deliveries during this period. Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando also contributed to the resistance, as India continued to bowl, hoping for a breakthrough.
India’s attempts to break the partnerships were evident in the 116th over of the Sri Lankan innings. Siraj, after discussions with Sarfaraz Khan and Gill regarding field changes, attempted a short-ball trap. After Dinusha safely ducked two deliveries, the bowler dislodged the bails in a unique attempt to unsettle the batsman. This was followed by a creative field setting, with the entire field moving towards the off-side to create catching opportunities for a miscued drive. The plan aimed to induce a false shot from Dinusha, who had been the most consistent batter in the series.
Despite these efforts, the plan did not yield the desired result against Dinusha. However, India found success in the very next over when Prabath Jayasuriya was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja while driving. Even after securing two wickets in the first hour after lunch, India still needed two more wickets to begin their chase, highlighting the challenge posed by Sri Lanka’s resistance.
Dinusha’s unwavering performance
Dinusha’s maiden Test hundred had formed the foundation of Sri Lanka’s first-innings total of 290. The 25-year-old continued his strong form, achieving his fourth successive score of 50 or more, which was crucial in keeping his side in the contest. His sequence of scores in the series included 100, 84, 103, and 133 not out, showcasing his compact technique, composure, and solid temperament across the four innings.
Frustration mounted in the Indian camp as Dinusha and Nuwantha built their defiant 112-run partnership. Nuwantha also benefited from the review system on two occasions, including overturning an lbw decision just before lunch. Spinner Manav Suthar eventually broke this partnership in the first over after the interval, with a delivery that bounced and took the shoulder of Nuwantha’s bat, leading to a catch by Dhruv Jurel at slip. Jurel then took another catch to dismiss Jayasuriya for two runs, but Dinusha remained unfazed, continuing to bat with the tail.
Lahiru Kumara provided valuable support, absorbing 90 balls for his 12 runs. On a pitch that offered little assistance to the seamers, Dinusha defended with assurance and swept effectively, continuing to defy India. Captain Gill rotated his bowlers and adjusted field settings, but nothing seemed to unsettle Dinusha, who batted with significant discipline.
The pitch was described as flat, and India’s tactics were criticized for being too defensive at a time when wickets were needed. The focus on cutting off boundaries and allowing easy singles, even setting fields for a reverse-sweep in a Test match, contributed to a period where India’s shoulders began to drop. This led to India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir summoning captain Gill to the change room before the lunch break.
Gill consulted with coach Gambhir and video analyst Hari Prasad Mohan when their strategies were not yielding results in the first session. They tried the new ball, experimented with different combinations, and adjusted the field, albeit defensively, but none of these approaches worked. Despite being in a position of control, India found themselves playing catch-up. However, with favourable weather and a first-innings run cushion, they still had the best chance of securing a positive outcome.
Sri Lanka’s lower-order, including Dinusha, proved to be a persistent challenge, collectively facing 71 overs across the two innings. This resistance prevented a whitewash and significantly impacted India’s WTC final qualification hopes. With only one win, India now has no room for error in their remaining seven Tests, which include two away matches against New Zealand and five home matches against Australia.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
