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Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Dodda Ganesh has lashed out at the national team after Sri Lanka has drawn the second and final Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
Sonal Dinusha was the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team’s biggest hero as the hosts produced a stunning fightback to deny the India National Cricket Team a win in Colombo on Thursday, August 27. Earlier, Dhananjaya de Silva hails Sri Lanka’s youngsters after hard-fought draw against India.
India stunned as Sonal Dinusha leads Sri Lanka’s incredible fightback in Colombo
Sri Lanka declared their second innings at 429/9, with Dinusha remaining unbeaten on a superb 133 on Day 5 of the second and final Test against India. His second century of the match completely ended India’s hopes of completing a 2-0 series sweep.
India had started strongly after bowling Sri Lanka out for just 212 in the first innings. The visitors then enforced the follow-on and looked in a perfect position to win. But Sri Lanka refused to surrender. Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis helped the hosts recover before the lower order’s resistance.
The touring side finally made a breakthrough after lunch when Manav Suthar dismissed Keshara Nuwantha, but Dinusha remained rock-solid. He was unbeaten on 98 at tea before completing another brilliant century. Lahiru Kumara also showed great courage, surviving 56 balls for just two runs.
Dodda Ganesh furious after India’s Colombo collapse
As they were fighting to save the Test match, Sri Lanka declared at 429/9, forcing India to settle for a 1-0 series win. After the end of the tour, former Indian cricketer Dodda Ganesh expressed disappointment over India’s inability to finish the match.
The cricket pundit said that the Indian team management needs serious self-reflection after letting a winning position slip away in Colombo, as the outcome has dented their WTC Final 2027 chances. Amid this, Shubman Gill creates history, joins Anil Kumble in rare Test record in Colombo.
Dodda Ganesh posted, X: “No excuse for bottling this test, especially after getting them under the mat by the end of the fourth day. Lot of soul searching to do for India.”
No excuse for bottling this test, especially after getting them under the mat by the end of fourth day. Lot of soul searching to do for India #SLvIND
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) August 27, 2026
Sanjay Manjrekar defends Shubman Gill after Colombo draw
Meanwhile, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar defended Shubman Gill’s captaincy in the final two days of the Colombo Test. He said the pitch remained very flat and did not offer enough help to India’s bowlers, even on Day 5 in Colombo.
Manjrekar also praised the Sri Lankan batters, especially Sonal Dinusha, for showing great patience and stopping India from taking wickets. The commentator felt the conditions and Sri Lanka’s strong resistance should be considered before judging Gill’s captaincy in the final Test.
Sanjay Manjrekar said on Sony Sports, “India are batting last because this pitch has gone to sleep, and I don't think it will wake up. So, India will be okay with whatever they have to chase. But, yes, it has been a test of Gill's captaincy."
"If I have to give him marks out of 10, I would say 7 or 8. I don't think we should jump to the conclusion that this is how he will operate in the future. I thought his captaincy in this Test match was conditions-specific.”
