NEW DELHI: For the first time against India and only the fourth time overall, Sri Lanka did the unthinkable in Colombo. After being forced to follow on and facing a huge 213-run first-innings deficit, Sri Lanka fought back brilliantly to save the second Test against India on Thursday. The match ended in a draw, with India winning the two-match series 1-0.
Sri Lanka break a long follow-on jinx
Sri Lanka had lost 24 of their previous 27 Tests after being asked to follow on. Even more strikingly, they had lost all eight such Tests against India.But in Colombo, the hosts finally broke that run.Resuming at 229/6 on the final day, Sri Lanka finished on 429/9 before the teams agreed to call off the match. Sonal Dinusha led the resistance with an unbeaten 133, while Keshara Nuwantha scored 46. The pair added 112 runs for the seventh wicket.This was only the fourth time Sri Lanka had managed to save a Test after being asked to follow on.
Sri Lanka saving Tests after follow-on
- vs Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, 1994 — 193/4
- vs England, Lord’s, 2006 — 537/9
- vs West Indies, Galle, 2010 — 241/4
- vs India, Colombo SSC, 2026 — 429/9
Dinusha completes a remarkable series
Dinusha was at the heart of Sri Lanka’s resistance. He had scored 103 in the first innings of the Colombo Test and hit his maiden Test century in the series opener in Galle. His unbeaten 133 took his tally to three centuries in the two-Test series.He also became only the third batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test while following on.
Hundreds in both innings, second while following on
- Vijay Hazare — 116 & 145 vs Australia, Adelaide, 1948
- Andy Flower — 142 & 199* vs South Africa, Harare, 2001
- Sonal Dinusha — 103 & 133* vs India, Colombo SSC, 2026
For India, Manav Suthar finished with 3/121 and Ravindra Jadeja took 3/94. India, however, returned home with the series win after taking the first Test in Galle.
