'I wanted to get runs for the team' - Sonal Dinusha says after historic series against India

The second Test between India and Sri Lanka ended in a draw on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the SSC ground in Colombo. India won the two-match series 1-0 after their 165-run victory in the first Test at Galle. Despite the series loss, Sri Lanka produced a strong performance in the final match, with their second innings ending at 429 for nine declared for an overall lead of 216 runs.

Sonal Dinusha played a central role in Sri Lanka's resistance, scoring an unbeaten 133 in the second innings. The right-hander faced 264 balls across 420 minutes at the crease, demonstrating exceptional concentration and application.

His knock was part of a remarkable series performance that saw him accumulate 420 runs across the two Tests, facing 722 balls and batting for 1,139 minutes.

"First of all, I think I should mention who helped me to get runs here. So especially I need to mention our coaching staff. So they encouraged me, and my school coaches, my provincial coaches, my family and my friends as well. So they helped me a lot," Dinusha said in post-match presentation.

"So speaking about the preparation, so first at the ground here, so I had an idea, turning wicket as well. So I did some quality sessions as well. So that's the thing I get runs," he added.

Tail-enders' role in enabling runs

Dinusha's performance in the second innings was built on a foundation of consistency throughout the series. He scored 100 in his first innings, followed by 84 in the second innings, and then 103 in the third innings before his unbeaten 133 in the final innings. This sequence showcased remarkable endurance and mental strength across challenging conditions.

He also had some kind words to say for some valuable knocks from the Lankan bowlers.

"Yeah, especially I would like to mention tail-enders. So they batted really well. So that helped me to really get runs as well. So I think I tried to do my best, reading the situation as well. So yeah, that's it," Dinusha added.

Historic achievement in two-match series

Dinusha's three centuries in the two-match series placed him in elite company. He became the third Sri Lankan player to achieve this feat, joining Aravinda de Silva and Kumar Sangakkara. Additionally, he became only the third batter to score twin hundreds in a Test match where his team followed on, alongside India's Vijay Hazare and Zimbabwe's Andy Flower.

The milestone of scoring hundreds in both innings of a Test against India was particularly significant, as Dinusha became only the second batter since January 2015 to achieve this distinction, following England's Jonny Bairstow, who scored 106 and 114 not out at Edgbaston in 2022.

"Yeah, personally I'm very happy about that. But I think I wanted to get, when team is down, I wanted to get runs for team. So that's the only thing I did," he said.

"So I'm really happy at the end of the day. [On scoring 420 runs against India] Yeah, it's a fortune, I think, against India getting runs, it's a pleasure as a player. So yeah, fantastic," Dinusha concluded.