Gautam Gambhir praises India’s Test series win and gives special praise to the Sri Lankan star

Gautam Gambhir praised the Indian team for their performance against Sri Lanka in the recently concluded Test series on Friday, August 28. Gambhir managed to secure his first away series win as India coach as his team returned to the World Cup finals equation.

Gambhir had many players take his side, with Devdutt Padikkal scoring two hundreds and amassing 328 runs from three innings. Manav Suthar was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors as he took 16 wickets in three innings.

Gambhir said on X that his side showed character, patience and mental toughness during the series against Sri Lanka.

“Test cricket needs character, patience and mental toughness which our boys have shown!” Gambhir said on X.

However, Gambhir had a special shout out for Sri Lanka’s Sonal Dinus, who was in sensational form during the two-match series. The southpaw scored 420 runs from four innings and scored two hundreds in Colombo.

Dinusha performed the rescue act for his side on Day 5 of the Colombo Test as India were on top and needed just four wickets to bundle out the hosts and secure an easy target.

But Dinusha, along with Lahiru Kumara, kept India at bay and ensured Sri Lanka took their second innings total to 429 for nine before declaring to set India a notional target after taking a 216-run lead. With little time left in the test, both sides agreed to call it a day, settle for a draw.

Gambhir was happy to see the match from Dinus and praised the Sri Lankan batter.

“Special thanks to Sonal Dinusha for his outstanding performance!” Dinusha said. (Credit: Gautam Gambhir X)

HOW INDIA’S WTC CHANCES WERE AFFECTED BY THE COLOMBO TEST

India’s disappointment in Colombo was about more than failing to close out the Test they were largely in control. With the World Test Championship race expected to be fiercely contested, points dropped in the draw could have significant ramifications later in the cycle.

A win would take India’s points percentage to 63.33 and move them behind Bangladesh to fourth place. Instead, the draw earned them just four points, leaving them fifth in the table.

Sonal Dinusha’s unbeaten 133 was at the heart of Sri Lanka’s remarkable resistance. What appeared to be heading for a comfortable Indian victory gradually became a test of resilience, with the lower order also offering valuable support. However, Dinusha was the driving force behind the home team’s belief that they could save the match.

With seven Tests remaining in the current cycle, India have time to recover lost ground – but will now have to find those points elsewhere.

– The end

Published on:

28 Aug 2026 18:42 IST