For Sri Lanka, the escape was built around Dinusha, playing just his fifth Test, he tackled the spinners expertly to bat through the best part of two full days across the two innings. Sri Lanka Head coach Gary Kirsten did not hold back in his praise.
“Never easy to come out to bat at number six. He is a smart cricketer. This innings today would go down in history of Sri Lankan cricket as one of the greatest match saving knocks. It was great to watch,” Kirsten said.
The South African pointed to the tail’s resistance on the final day, with Keshara Nuwantha holding firm alongside Dinusha before eventually being caught off Manav Suthar after lunch, and Lahiru Kumara adding crucial time at the crease further down the order.
“I always say in the team that you are not a batter or a bowler, you are a player. We encourage our bowlers to bat and practice. Lahiru Kumara batted around 150 balls,” Kirsten said.
Reflecting on the opposition, he had words of praise for the two centurions.
“Dhruv Jurel is a world-class player, plays short ball well. Devdutt Padikkal and Jurel stood out for me from Indian team,” Kirsten said.
