Sri Lanka batter Sonal Dinusha continued his extraordinary run against India on the fifth day of the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, staying unbeaten on 71 in the second innings as Sri Lanka battled to keep the match alive. It was his fourth consecutive fifty-plus score across a two-Test series that has pushed the 25-year-old into the record books.
Last updated: August 27, 2026. This story reflects play through the second Test, day five, at Colombo.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Sonal Dinusha, 25-year-old Sri Lankan left-handed batter |
| Series scores | 100 and 84 (first Test, Galle); 103 (second Test first innings) |
| Day 5 standing | Unbeaten on 71 in Sri Lanka’s second innings |
| Streak | Fifty or more runs in each of his four innings |
| Record | Only the third Sri Lankan to score 50-plus in all four innings of a two-Test series |
| Recognised by | BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla, who compared him to Sachin Tendulkar |
What happened on day five
Entering the final day, Sri Lanka faced a challenge both from India’s attack and from the weather, with forecasts warning of rain in Colombo. Dinusha anchored the reply, reaching his fourth consecutive half-century of the series and keeping Sri Lanka’s hopes of salvaging a draw alive. At the time of reporting he was unbeaten on 71, defying the Indian bowlers and drawing praise from the opposition’s own administration.
BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla posted on X after watching Dinusha bat. “This Sonal of Srilanka is an amazing player. Looking like Tendulkar. Can be a wonderful test player in international cricket,” he wrote.
The century count and the record
Dinusha opened the series with scores of 100 and 84 in the first Test in Galle, although Sri Lanka lost that match by 165 runs. He carried that form into Colombo, scoring 103 in the first innings to celebrate a century there. His latest innings made him the third Sri Lankan batter to score 50 or more in all four innings of a two-Test series, following Kumar Sangakkara (against Bangladesh in 2013 and England in 2014) and Dimuth Karunaratne (against South Africa in 2018).
Video: match highlights
The highlights below capture the key moments from day five as Dinusha and Sri Lanka pushed for a draw against India.
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Day 5 Highlights
This official highlights reel shows the decisive passages of play on the final day, including Dinusha’s anchoring innings and Sri Lanka’s resistance with their backs to the wall.
Confirmed versus speculation
| Reported | Status |
|---|---|
| Dinusha scored 100 and 84 in the first Test at Galle | Confirmed from match scorecards |
| Dinusha scored 103 in the first innings of the second Test | Confirmed from match scorecards |
| Dinusha was unbeaten on 71 on day five | Confirmed at the time of reporting |
| Only the third Sri Lankan to score 50-plus in four innings of a two-Test series | Confirmed by Times of India |
| Rajiv Shukla called him “Looking like Tendulkar” on X | Confirmed from his public post |
| Rain would decide the match outcome | Speculation based on weather forecasts |
One impressive series does not guarantee a lasting Test career, but Dinusha has given Sri Lanka a clear reason for optimism. Cricket form can change quickly, and the small sample of four innings is exactly that.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Sonal Dinusha?
Sonal Dinusha is a 25-year-old Sri Lankan left-handed batter who emerged as the team’s top scorer during the two-Test series against India in 2026.
How many fifty-plus scores has Dinusha made in the series?
He scored 50 or more in all four of his innings across the two Tests: 100 and 84 in Galle, then 103 and an unbeaten 71 in Colombo.
Why did Rajiv Shukla compare him to Sachin Tendulkar?
After watching Dinusha bat, BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla praised his technique on X, writing that he looks like Tendulkar and could become a wonderful Test player.
What is Dinusha’s record?
He became only the third Sri Lankan to score 50-plus in all four innings of a two-Test series, joining Kumar Sangakkara and Dimuth Karunaratne.
Did Sri Lanka win the second Test?
The match was still in progress at the time of reporting on day five, with Sri Lanka fighting to earn a draw; rain was forecast in Colombo.
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Sources: Times of India, Rediff, Sportstar, and Google News coverage published August 27, 2026.
