Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has been impressed by Sri Lanka’s young batting talent Pasindu Sooriyabandara and believes his technique during the ongoing second Test in Colombo reminded him of a young Virat Kohli. Despite Sri Lanka’s struggles against India, Sooriyabandara and fellow youngster Sonal Dinusha have emerged as major positives for the hosts.

Sooriyabandara endured a difficult introduction to Test cricket after being dismissed for a duck on debut in the opening Test. However, the right-hander responded strongly in Colombo when Sri Lanka found themselves in serious trouble at 8/2 after India declared their first innings at 503/9.

The youngster showed excellent composure and played an important knock of 80 runs from 133 deliveries. He struck nine boundaries and remained confident against India’s bowling attack, helping Sri Lanka recover from a precarious position.

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Manjrekar was particularly impressed with Sooriyabandara’s technique and the way he positioned his head over the ball. According to the former India batter, the youngster’s batting reminded him of Kohli during the early stages of his international career. “Sooriyabandara has a good technique with the head coming right on top of the ball. It reminded me of Virat Kohli as a young player when he would get his head right on top of the ball,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on Sony Sports Network.

Manjrekar also praised another promising Sri Lankan batter, Sonal Dinusha, who continued his excellent form by scoring 103 in the first innings. It was Dinusha’s second century in as many Tests against India, making him one of the standout performers of the series.

Dinusha walked in with Sri Lanka struggling at 173/7 but played a crucial innings to help the hosts reach 290. Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted his ability to handle both pace and spin, while also praising his temperament. “Dinusha has everything going for him at the moment. He has tremendous skills against pace and spin, with an excellent temperament. He bats like he’s 50 Test matches old,” he added.

Although India remained in control of the series, Manjrekar felt Sri Lanka’s young batters had made the visitors work harder than expected in both Galle and Colombo. He was particularly surprised by Sri Lanka’s recovery after India’s bowlers had reduced them to 35/3 early on Day 3.“I thought Sri Lanka would be bowled out on Day 3 for under 175 with the kind of promise shown by the Indian bowlers at the end of Day 2. But the two young Sri Lankan batters halted India,” Manjrekar said.

India eventually secured a 213-run first-innings lead and enforced the follow-on, but Manjrekar felt their bowling attack could have been more effective.

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He was especially critical of India’s spin unit comprising Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain. According to him, the spinners failed to create the same impact seen from some of India’s previous combinations. “I thought Jadeja was the pick of all the bowlers. That India had to keep going to Prasidh Krishna shows that they weren’t quite able to attack with spin as much. India’s spin attack didn’t quite rise to the occasion like they normally do,” Manjrekar concluded.