Indian skipper Shubman Gill’s attempt to claim his first Test wicket with the ball produced one of the lighter moments of India’s frustrating final day against Sri Lanka in the second Test in Colombo. With Sri Lanka holding firm at 418/9 and India desperately searching for a breakthrough, Gill decided to bring himself into the attack with his off-spin and get a wicket for the team. The Indian captain did not have to wait long before thinking he had finally made the breakthrough. In the 150.4 over, Gill fired one into Asitha Fernando’s pads and immediately went up for a huge LBW appeal. For a moment, Gill and his teammates looked convinced that the batter was in trouble, but the umpire was unmoved.

India chose not to review the decision, leaving Gill without his much-awaited first Test wicket. The fun continued as two more deliveries in the same over struck Fernando on the pads, prompting another round of interest from the bowler, but the wicket still refused to come. Gill eventually completed his short spell with figures of 2-0-8-0, while Sri Lanka held on at 429/9 to secure a hard-fought draw. Sonal Dinusha’s unbeaten 133 and Fernando’s unbeaten 0 ensured Sri Lanka survived after following on. For Gill, though, the day offered an amusing reminder that getting a first Test wicket can be harder than it looks.

Sonal Dinusha leads stunning Sri Lanka fightback as India miss 2-0 series sweep in Test series in Colombo

The second Test between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo ended in a dramatic draw, despite India taking control early and looking well placed for a 2-0 series sweep. India declared their first innings at 503/9, built around centuries from Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel. Sri Lanka struggled in response and were dismissed for 290, leaving India with a massive 213-run lead. India then enforced the follow-on, putting Sri Lanka under immediate pressure. 

Sri Lanka, however, produced a remarkable fightback in their second innings. Sonal Dinusha once again became the hero, remaining unbeaten on 133 off 264 balls after scoring 103 in the first innings. He found valuable support from the lower order, including a 112-run partnership with Keshara Nuwantha, as Sri Lanka slowly moved out of danger. By the time the match ended, Sri Lanka had reached 429/9, with Dinusha still at the crease. India’s bowlers could not claim the final wicket, and the Test was eventually drawn. The result meant India won the two-match series 1-0 but the second match had been drawn, while Sri Lanka achieved the remarkable feat of saving a Test against India after following on.