Dinusha and Nuwantha frustrate India as Sri Lanka strengthen fight for draw in Colombo

Colombo, August 27, 2026; Sri Lanka mounted a determined fightback on the final day of the second Test against India, with Sonal Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha producing a crucial unbeaten century stand to keep the hosts’ hopes of securing a draw alive.

Sri Lanka reached 329/6 by lunch after beginning the day at 229/6. Dinusha remained unbeaten on 55, while Nuwantha was 46 not out as the pair successfully negotiated India’s spin attack and extended Sri Lanka’s lead to 116 runs.

India’s Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar were unable to make a breakthrough during the opening session. With the new ball also introduced in the 82nd over, the Indian bowling attack struggled to separate the well-set Sri Lankan batters.

The hosts crossed the 250-run mark in the 80th over before Nuwantha accelerated against Mohammed Siraj, collecting two boundaries in the 90th over. Dinusha then added runs against Jadeja as Sri Lanka moved past 300.

Dinusha brought up his half-century from 99 deliveries, hitting two fours in the process. It was his fourth score of 50 or more in the series. The partnership with Nuwantha subsequently crossed the 100-run mark off 203 balls.

Nuwantha had a nervous moment when Jadeja trapped him leg before wicket, but the decision was overturned following a DRS review. Sri Lanka therefore went into the lunch interval without losing another wicket, leaving India with limited time to force a result.

Earlier, India posted 503/9, with Devdutt Padikkal scoring 117 and Dhruv Jurel remaining unbeaten on 115. Asitha Fernando was Sri Lanka’s leading bowler with 4/106.

Brief Scores: India 503/9 (Devdutt Padikkal 117, Dhruv Jurel 115*); Sri Lanka 290 and 329/6 (Sonal Dinusha 55*, Keshara Nuwantha 46*, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 92, Kamindu Mendis 55; Manav Suthar 2/98).