'There might have been complacency' - Wasim Jaffer after Sri Lanka escape with draw

Sri Lanka held on for a draw in the second Test at Colombo from August 23-27, 2026, denying India victory on the final day. The hosts declared at 429 for 9 in their second innings after following on, with Sonal Dinusha scoring an unbeaten 133 to anchor the resistance. India required four wickets to secure the win, but Sri Lanka's batting display prevented the breakthrough.

Former India batter Wasim Jaffer analysed the match and pointed to India's approach as a factor in the outcome. Jaffer felt the Indian team's mindset on the final day may have worked against them as they pursued the remaining wickets needed for victory.

"I felt there might have been complacency as they needed to take just four wickets. Things got harder and harder, and you end up giving more runs while trying different things. Probably that was the case. The defensive field set surprised me. We went to a defensive field set very early," Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.

Dinusha's unbeaten century anchors Sri Lanka's escape

Dinusha's second-innings century proved decisive in Sri Lanka's escape. The batter scored 103 in the first innings and followed it with 133 not out in the second, batting across a combined 426 balls. His unbeaten knock earned him the Player of the Match award. Keshara Nuwantha contributed a gutsy 46 off 150 balls with four boundaries, while Lahiru Kumara also played a role in the resistance.

Jaffer points to complacency and defensive approach

Jaffer also observed that India's energy levels appeared low at the start of the final day, which may have affected their intensity in the field. The former batter noted that the Indian team seemed to expect wickets to fall rather than actively working to dismiss the batters. According to Jaffer, by the time India's intensity increased, Sri Lanka had already consolidated their position.

"Somewhere I felt India were a little low on energy at the start of the day. They thought that they would get out, rather than having the attitude that we will have to dismiss them. By the time the Indian team woke up, I think they were set, and things were going in their favor," Jaffer said.

India had won the first Test at Galle by 165 runs from August 15-19, 2026, and secured the two-match series 1-0 with that victory. The second Test draw meant India could not extend their series advantage, though they retained the trophy.