The Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has praised Sri Lanka’s Sonal Dinusha for producing a stunning fightback, forcing a draw during the second test against India, played in Colombo.

Sonal Dinsuha put up a stunning resistance with a magnificent unbeaten 133 runs in the second innings. India, who enforced the follow-on after taking 213 runs first innings lead, were unable to bowl Sri Lanka for a second time as the hosts finished on 429/9 in 154 overs.

He smashed his second hundred of the match and third in four innings, powering Sri Lanka to 429/9 while following on when the players shook hands.

India won the series 1-0, but Sri Lanka showed fighting spirit in their fightback at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

Gautam Gambhir praised his own side’s character and mental toughness following the 1-0 series win. “Test cricket needs character, patience and mental toughness that’s shown by our boys! Special shoutout to Sonal Dinusha for his exceptional performance!” Gambhir posted on his ‘X’ account on Friday.

Despite missing out on the WTC points in the final game, India clinched the two-match series 1-0, having won the opening fixture at Galle by 165 runs.

Dinusha enjoyed a historic, record-breaking series with the bat, accumulating 420 runs across four innings, including three centuries.

Batting at No.6, he scored 100 and 84 runs in the opening test at Galle International Stadium, followed by 103 in Sri Lanka’s first innings in Colombo.

After being made to follow on, Sri Lanka found themselves in deep trouble before Dinusha struck another attack, an undefeated 133 runs off 264 balls and took them to a hard-fought draw on Thursday.

He also joined forces with Keshara Nuwantha to stitch a 112-run seventh-wicket stand.

Sri Lanka found themselves in deep trouble before Dinusha made another knock, an undefeated 133 runs off 264 balls, and took them to a hard-fought draw on Thursday.

He also joined Keshara Nuwantha to stitch a 112-run partnership for the seventh wicket. He is also the eighth batter to register three centuries in two-games test series, the joint-most for any men’s batter and just the third for Sri Lanka after de Silva and Sangakkara.