Sri Lanka, led by Sonal Dinusha, battled their way to an epic hard-fought draw against India in the second Test, denying the tourists what had looked a sure victory earlier in the contest.

Sri Lanka held their nerve at the crease on day five, ensuring they did not give India another chance to bat as the hosts pushed to 429-9 in their second innings after being asked to follow-on.

After rain ended play early on Wednesday, Sri Lanka held a 16-run lead, and Dinusha brilliantly held his nerve to get his third century of the series and ensure they were not on the losing side again.

He started at the crease alongside Keshara Nuwantha on Thursday, with the pair putting on a 112-run partnership for the seventh wicket to keep the momentum firmly with Sri Lanka.

Nuwantha was eventually dismissed by Manav Suthar (3-121), but his 46 helped to propel the side forward.

Even as Ravindra Jadeja's (3-94) late flurry stopped Prabath Jayasuriya (2) and Lahiru Kumara (12) in their tracks, it did not matter, with Dinusha steadily plucking away to an unbeaten 133 off 264 balls.

With India unable to skittle out Sri Lanka, they did not get the chance to pick up the bat again, but they still won the two-match series 1-0.

Sri Lanka’s resilience with the bat ensures that only three wickets fall on the final day. The two teams shake hands after a hard-fought Test, which ends in a draw.#TeamIndia win the series 1-0.

Details - https://t.co/Uh4Xgn8rB5 pic.twitter.com/spxoqmBzct

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 27, 2026

Sri Lanka show their grit to hold off India

It has been said all through the series, but after India declared on 503-9, and then ended Sri Lanka's first innings on 290, it looked like they were set to sweep the series.

But Sri Lanka were clever about how they performed in their second innings, with Dinusha once again proving invaluable, and he scooped up the Player of the Match award for his troubles.

He got centuries in three of his four innings across the series, but came close in the other anyway, getting 84 in that one.

For India, it is vital points dropped in the WTC, as instead of the 12 they were expected to pick up, they only walk away with four, with captain Shubman Gill admitting asking Sri Lanka to follow-on might not have been the best plan in hindsight.