Meet Sonal Dinusha, the Indian torturer from Colombo who once couldn't afford a bat

Sonal Dinusha emerged as Sri Lanka’s biggest revelation in the two-Test series against India, turning years of hard work into a breakthrough performance on the international stage. His journey began with a remarkable family sacrifice when his sister bought his first cricket bat after borrowing money for it.

Dinusha finished the series with 420 runs at an average of 140, but his biggest contribution came in Colombo. Sri Lanka were forced to continue after being bowled out for 290 and conceding a 213-run lead in the first innings, but Dinusha remained unbeaten on 133 off 264 balls in the second innings to to help the hosts reach 429/9 and secure a draw.

SL vs IND 2nd Test Day 5: Highlights

Speaking to PTI, Dinush’s trusted coach Ashan Priyanjan recalled the difficult circumstances of his early cricketing years and the sacrifices made by his family.

“His sister borrowed some money and bought him a bat, his first cricket bat. The family didn’t have much money and whatever they earned now is because of Dinus. He is their only income,” said Priyanjan.

“He is very attached to his father, mother and siblings. I think he is attached to cricket in the same way.”

Dinusha marathon effort in Colombo was supported by extensive preparation. Before the Test, he called Priyanjan to discuss India’s spin attack, after which he specifically worked on his sweep and reverse sweep against the left arm and off-spin at the Colombo Cricket Club.

THE BAT THAT STARTED IT ALL

Dinusha’s path to cricket was not straightforward. He was also serious about basketball before coach Susantha Felix Dias noticed him playing and brought him to the cricket team.

The youngster didn’t have a bat or proper cricket equipment at that time. His sister’s decision to borrow money to buy him his first bat became an early turning point in a career that had now reached international level.

Priyanjan first saw Dinus training at the Colombo Cricket Club when he was around 11 or 12 years old and quickly noticed his determination.

“I told him once that he needs good batting to be successful against spinners because he will be playing a lot of cricket in Asian countries. From then on he practiced that batting for about two hours at the nets, just smash it,” Priyanjan said.

This work later became one of Dinusha’s greatest weapons against India. During the series, he amassed 173 runs through spin against spin, surpassing Joe Root’s previous mark of 160 in a Test series.

Former Sri Lankan batsman Aviska Gunawardene saw the same willingness to adapt during the tour of Australia. After struggling with the short balls, Dinus asked for another session with the bowling specialists and subsequently scored 105 and 88 in successive unofficial Tests.

HOW DINASHHA BECAME INDIA’S NIGHTMARE

What made Sonal Dinusha’s series against India so remarkable was not just the volume of runs, but also the way he repeatedly found answers whenever visitors seemed close to breaking through. He combined patience with a willingness to attack spin, while his ability to bat deep became particularly valuable when Sri Lanka’s lower order was under pressure.

Dinusha’s numbers against India underline how influential he has been in both Tests.

420 runs from four innings at an average of 140
Three centuries and one fifty across the series
133 not out from 264 balls in Colombo’s second innings
103 in the first innings of the Colombo Test
173 runs wide against spin, surpassing Root’s previous mark of 160
He became only the third batsman to score a century in both innings of a Test between India and Sri Lanka
He became the eighth batsman to score three centuries in a two-Test series
He became only the fifth batsman to score a twin century from No. 6 or below in a Test

The decisive knock came when Sri Lanka were staring at defeat after trailing. India needed just four wickets on the final day to complete the series but Dinusha refused to give them the opening they needed.

He repeatedly used sweeps and reverse sweeps against Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar and debutant Saransh Jain while showing patience to defend when India found the right areas.

Dinusha had already scored 103 in the first innings, but his unbeaten 133 in the second innings proved even more valuable as he stayed on long enough to get Sri Lanka to safety. His efforts earned him the Player of the Match award as Sri Lanka escaped with a draw.

– The end

Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

28 Aug 2026 14:11 IST