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IND vs SL: Sonal Dinushas Century Saves Sri Lanka as India Win Test Series 1-0

Sonal Dinusha produced a remarkable unbeaten 133 to thwart Indias bid for a series sweep, helping Sri Lanka secure an unlikely draw in the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Thursday. India had looked firmly in control after declaring their first innings at 503 for nine and dismissing Sri Lanka for 290. Having enforced the follow-on, India needed just four wickets on the final day to complete a 2-0 series victory. But Dinusha had other plans. Resuming the day at 229 for six, Sri Lanka were still staring at another defeat. Dinusha was unbeaten on seven, while Keshara Nuwantha was on three. India needed only four wickets to wrap up the match. Instead, Dinusha and Nuwantha launched a determined resistance that frustrated India throughout the opening session. The pair added a crucial century partnership, taking Sri Lanka to 329 for six by lunch. Dinusha remained unbeaten on 55, while Nuwantha had reached 46. Their 203-ball stand became the foundation of Sri Lankas fightback. India eventually made further inroads, with Ravindra Jadeja dismissing Prabath Jayasuriya for two after Sri Lanka reached 350 in 113.2 overs. However, Dinusha continued to hold firm. Lahiru Kumara joined him and survived for 90 balls, helping Sri Lanka cross the 400-run mark. At tea, Sri Lanka were 383 for eight, with Dinusha unbeaten on 98. Dinusha Completes Third Century of Series The defining moment came shortly after the final session began when Dinusha took two runs off Mohammed Siraj to complete his century. It was his third century of the two-Test series, underlining his emergence as Sri Lankas standout batter during the contest. Having reached three figures, Dinusha shifted gears. He smashed sixes off Manav Suthar and Shubman Gill before hitting consecutive boundaries against Yashasvi Jaiswal. India continued to search for the final wicket, and Jadeja eventually dismissed Lahiru Kumara for 12 after the tailender had battled through 90 deliveries. That gave India one last chance to seal victory, but Dinusha remained unbeaten and Sri Lanka held on until the match was drawn. India Dominate but Miss Out on Clean Sweep India had controlled much of the Test after posting 503 for nine declared in their first innings. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 290, leaving India with a substantial 213-run first-innings advantage. The visitors enforced the follow-on and appeared to be heading towards another emphatic victory. However, Sri Lankas second innings stretched to 154 overs, with Dinushas stubborn resistance at its heart. The lower order also made a valuable contribution, forming partnerships that consumed crucial time and kept Indias bowlers waiting for the final wicket. When the match was finally called off, Sri Lanka had reached 429 for nine, with Dinusha unbeaten on 133. The draw meant India finished the two-Test series with a 1-0 victory, following their 165-run win in the opening Test at Galle. For Sri Lanka, however, the result represented a remarkable escape from an almost certain defeat. And for Dinusha, the unbeaten century was the defining innings of the Test an extraordinary display of patience, resilience and counter-attacking strokeplay that denied India a clean sweep.