Sri Lanka salvage draw in second Test after battling Dinusha denies India

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — India captain Shubman Gill remains optimistic that his team can still secure a spot in the World Test Championship final despite losing a close match to Sri Lanka on Thursday. India appeared on the verge of a 2-0 sweep, but Sri Lanka mounted a strong comeback with a rearguard action led by middle-order batter Sonal Dinusha.

India, currently fifth in the WTC rankings, will face New Zealand in two Tests later this year and host Australia in a crucial five-match series early next year. Gill expressed confidence in the upcoming series in New Zealand and their home series, stating that if they perform well, they will keep believing in reaching the WTC final.

India need to win at least six out of their remaining seven Tests to control their destiny in the standings. India declared their first innings at 503-9 and bowled Sri Lanka out for 290, enforcing the follow-on. However, their bowlers failed to replicate their effectiveness in the second innings, and they had to settle for a draw after Dinusha scored his second hundred of the match.

Sri Lanka, currently seventh in the WTC rankings, keep their hopes alive in the ongoing Test against India. Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva praised the performances of young batters Sonal Dinusha, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, and all-rounder Keshara Nuwantha, hoping their selection would yield future talent for Sri Lanka cricket.