Colombo, Aug 2026 : India’s hopes of improving their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings suffered a setback on Thursday after Sri Lanka produced a determined fifth-day rearguard effort to force a draw in the second Test at the SSC Ground.
India had entered the match with an opportunity to complete a 2-0 series sweep after securing a convincing 165-run victory in the opening Test at Galle. However, a superb unbeaten 133 from Sonal Dinusha helped Sri Lanka survive a prolonged period of pressure and ensure the two-match series ended 1-0 in India’s favour.
The result also affected India’s WTC points percentage. Their PCT slipped from 53.33 to 51.52, although they remained fifth in the standings after 11 matches.
Australia, the 2023 WTC champions, continue to lead the table with an 80.00 PCT, followed by 2025 champions South Africa on 75.00. New Zealand, who won the inaugural WTC final in 2021, are third with 72.22, while Bangladesh occupy fourth place with 55.56. Sri Lanka remain sixth with a PCT of 33.33.
India’s inability to secure victory was largely due to Sri Lanka’s lower-order resistance on the final day. The hosts resumed with a narrow 16-run lead and faced the daunting task of surviving the day against an Indian attack looking for four wickets.
Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha immediately settled into a defensive rhythm, negotiating 31.2 overs during the morning session. The pair added 100 runs to take Sri Lanka’s lead beyond the 100-run mark before lunch.
Dinusha brought up another half-century, while Nuwantha contributed a disciplined 46. Their partnership frustrated India and steadily shifted the momentum towards the hosts.
India eventually made breakthroughs after lunch. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar induced an edge from Nuwantha, with wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel completing a clean catch at second slip.
Ravindra Jadeja then removed Prabath Jayasuriya, with Jurel again taking a sharp catch. Despite the wickets, Dinusha remained firmly in control and continued to bat with patience alongside Lahiru Kumara.
The defining moment came at the beginning of the final session when Dinusha completed his second century of the match and third hundred of the series from the first ball after tea. His remarkable consistency ensured that Sri Lanka remained beyond India’s reach.
Kumara provided further resistance, defending for 90 deliveries before Jadeja finally dismissed him. However, Asitha Fernando stayed at the crease, leaving India unable to claim the final wicket.
With the pitch offering little assistance and the Indian bowlers tiring after long spells in the field, captain Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jurel were also called upon to bowl during the closing stages.
Eventually, with Sri Lanka having secured their survival, the players shook hands and the Test ended in a draw.
The outcome leaves India with important challenges ahead in the WTC cycle. Having already played 11 matches, Gill’s side will need consistent results in the remaining fixtures to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.
India are scheduled to travel to New Zealand for a two-Test series in November before hosting Australia in a five-match Test series. Those encounters are expected to play a decisive role in determining India’s prospects of qualifying for the WTC final.
For Sri Lanka, the draw represented a significant recovery after their defeat in Galle, while for India, the 1-0 series win offered some consolation despite the missed opportunity to strengthen their WTC position.
