420 runs, three centuries: Gunawardene hails Dinusha as major positive for Sri Lanka - Rediff

Avishka Gunawardene acknowledged Indias dominance but hailed Sonal Dinusha’s breakthrough, with the young batter scoring 420 runs, including three centuries, as a major positive for Sri Lanka. IMAGE: Sonal Dinusha finished on an unbeaten 133 off 264 balls as Sri Lanka managed to draw the second Test in Colombo on Thursday. Photograph: Sri Lanka Cricket/XKey PointsAvishka Gunawardene acknowledged India’s dominance in the Test series against Sri Lanka.He singled out Sonal Dinusha’s 420 runs, including three centuries, as a major positive.New off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha has claimed six wickets in the series.Gunawardene said Sri Lanka need to handle crucial match situations better.He called for sharper decision-making and execution against top teams like India.Former Sri Lankan cricketer Avishka Gunawardene has said India have dominated the two-match Test series, but Sri Lanka can draw encouragement from the emergence of young batter Sonal Dinusha.Speaking to ANI, Gunawardene said the results had not gone Sri Lanka’s way, but several individual performances offered hope, particularly Dinusha’s batting.Dinusha, 25, was the leading run-scorer in the series, with 420 runs in four innings at an average of 140.00. He has scored three centuries and a half-century, with a best of 133 not out.“You can always talk about the results, but obviously I take the positives out of it. Sri Lanka have found a brilliant player in Sonal Dinusha and the way hes batting, I think hes going to be a handful for Sri Lanka cricket,” Gunawardene said.Keshara Adds Bowling PromiseGunawardene also praised new off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha, who has taken six wickets in the series, as another encouraging sign for Sri Lanka.“We just played a new off-spinner (Keshara Nuwantha) who looks good. So there are quite a few positives other than the results, but needless to say India has dominated and is dominating this Test series,” he said.India clinched the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Galle by 165 runs. Sri Lanka fought back in the second Test in Colombo to secure a draw. • Sonal Dinusha Makes History With Three Centuries Key Moments Remain Sri Lankas WeaknessGunawardene said Sri Lanka’s problems extend beyond handling pressure, with poor management of crucial situations also costing the team.I cant point out and say one reason or two reasons. I think its more than handling pressure; I think its the handling of situations that Sri Lanka havent done well.Decision-Making Must ImproveThe former batter said Sri Lanka must make better decisions and execute their plans more effectively in key moments if they are to compete consistently with top teams such as India.Gunawardene, who played six Tests and 61 ODIs for Sri Lanka, acknowledged India’s superiority while stressing that Sri Lanka’s young players and improved decision-making could provide a foundation for the future.