The 25-year-old Sri Lankan player has amassed 294 runs in four innings at a remarkable average of 98.00, including two centuries and one half-century, with a best score of 103.
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Avishka Gunawardene acknowledged India’s dominance in the ongoing Test series but said Sri Lanka have found some positives, including the emergence of young batter Sonal Dinusha. In the ongoing two-match Test series against India, Dinusha has emerged as his team’s leading run-scorer and is the second-highest run-getter overall. Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Gunawardene said that while the results have not gone in Sri Lanka’s favour, the team can take encouragement from the performances of some young players like Sonal.
Avishka Gunawardene said that while the results have not gone in Sri Lanka’s favour, the team can take encouragement from the performances of some young players like Sonal Dinusha.
The Asian Giants are currently leading the two-match Test series by 1-0. The visitors clinched the opening match at Galle by 165 runs. Meanwhile, in the ongoing second Test in Colombo, India regained control after a disciplined bowling display before rain forced an early end to proceedings on Day 4 on Wednesday. For those unversed, Gunawardene represented Sri Lanka in 6 Tests and 61 ODIs, scoring 181 runs in Tests at an average of 16.45 and 1,708 runs in ODIs at an average of 28.46. In ODI cricket, he registered one century and 12 half-centuries, with a career-best score of 132.
Sri Lanka has found a brilliant player called Sonal Dinusha and the way he’s batting, I think he’s going to be a handful for Sri Lanka cricket,” Gunawardene said. Gunawardene said Sri Lanka’s struggles have not been only about handling pressure but also about managing crucial situations during matches. Asked about Sri Lanka’s inability to sustain pressure despite showing fighting spirit, he said, “I can’t point out and say one reason or two reasons.
“You can always talk about the results, but obviously I take the positives out of it. The former Sri Lankan batter also praised the team’s new off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha, saying there have been encouraging signs despite India’s strong performance. I think it’s more than handling pressure; I think it’s the handling of situations that Sri Lanka hasn’t done well.
