Rising Star: Sri Lanka’s Sonal Dinusha Earns High Praise After Historic Performance Against India

COLOMBO – In a display of batting consistency that has captivated the cricketing world, Sri Lankan sensation Sonal Dinusha has emerged as the standout performer in the ongoing two-Test series against India. The 25-year-old left-hander’s remarkable run of form has not only frustrated the Indian bowling attack but has also drawn comparisons to one of the game’s greatest icons.

BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla took to social media on Thursday to laud the young batter after witnessing his resilient display at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

“This Sonal of Sri Lanka is an amazing player. Looking like Tendulkar. Can be a wonderful test player in international cricket,” Shukla posted on X, highlighting the uncanny elegance and composure Dinusha has shown at the crease.

A Historic Streak

Dinusha’s impact on the series has been nothing short of historic. With his unbeaten 71 in the second innings of the current Test, he has now notched up 50 or more runs in each of his four innings against India.

By achieving this milestone, Dinusha has etched his name into the annals of cricket history. He is now the first Asian batter—and only the fifth player overall—to score at least 50 runs in each of his first four Test innings against India. The elite list of players who have previously achieved this feat includes legendary figures such as England’s Ken Barrington (1959), Douglas Jardine, and West Indian greats Everton Weekes and Clyde Walcott.

Furthermore, Dinusha has joined an exclusive club of Sri Lankan legends, becoming only the third batter from his nation to score 50 or more in all four innings of a two-Test series, placing him alongside icons like Kumar Sangakkara and Dimuth Karunaratne.

Form Unmatched

Dinusha’s ascent began in the first Test in Galle, where he displayed immense maturity by scoring 100 and 84, despite Sri Lanka falling to a 165-run defeat. Carrying that momentum into the Colombo Test, he struck a gritty 103 in the first innings, proving that his early success was no fluke.

As he continues to frustrate the Indian bowlers on Day 5, the global cricketing community is beginning to take notice of a player who appears destined for the highest levels of the sport. With such a disciplined approach and a temperament reminiscent of the greats, Sonal Dinusha has undoubtedly cemented his status as the most exciting prospect in the India vs Sri Lanka rivalry.

Sri Lankan batters to score 50-plus in all four innings of a two-Test series:

• Kumar Sangakkara vs Bangladesh (Home, 2013)
• Kumar Sangakkara vs England (Away, 2014)
• Dimuth Karunaratne vs South Africa (Home, 2018)
• Sonal Dinusha vs India (Home, 2026)