Sri Lanka Stages Historic Comeback to Draw Test After Follow-On Against India

In Colombo, Sri Lanka overcame a 213-run first-innings shortfall to force a draw in the second Test against India, ending a 24-match streak of follow-on defeats and an eight-match run of losses to India in similar situations. The hosts reached 429/9, with Sonal Dinusha unbeaten on 133 and a crucial 112-run seventh-wicket stand with Keshara Nuwantha, who made 46. This was only the fourth time Sri Lanka saved a Test after being asked to follow on, joining past successes against Zimbabwe, England, and West Indies.

India’s bowlers Manav Suthar (3/121) and Ravindra Jadeja (3/94) could not force a result, and the series concluded with India winning 1-0 after taking the first Test in Galle. Dinusha also recorded centuries in both innings, joining Vijay Hazare and Andy Flower as the only players to do so while following on.