Sri Lanka produced a determined fightback to secure a draw against India in the second Test at Colombo, played from August 23 to 27, 2026. India entered the final day needing just four wickets for victory, but the hosts held their nerve and batted out the remaining period to deny the visitors a clean sweep. After following on, Sri Lanka declared their second innings at 429/9, with Sonal Dinusha delivering a magnificent unbeaten 133 to lead the resistance. His marathon effort frustrated India’s bowlers and ensured the hosts avoided defeat at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
Former India batter Wasim Jaffer has now analysed India’s performance and suggested that complacency may have played a part in the missed opportunity. According to Jaffer, India appeared to adopt a defensive approach too early instead of maintaining pressure on Sri Lanka’s lower order.
“I felt there might have been complacency as they needed to take just four wickets. Things got harder and harder, and you end up giving more runs while trying different things. Probably that was the case. The defensive field set surprised me. We went to a defensive field set very early,” Wasim Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.
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Dinusha was at the heart of Sri Lanka’s remarkable escape. After scoring 103 in the first innings, the left-hander produced an unbeaten 133 in the second innings. He faced a combined 426 deliveries across the two innings and was rewarded with the Player of the Match award for his outstanding performance.
Keshara Nuwantha also played a crucial role in frustrating India, scoring 46 from 150 balls and striking four boundaries. His lengthy stay at the crease helped Sri Lanka build the platform required to survive the final day.
Jaffer also felt India lacked energy during the opening stages of Day 5. The former batter believed the visitors appeared to expect wickets rather than creating opportunities through sustained pressure.
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“Somewhere I felt India were a little low on energy at the start of the day. They thought that they would get out, rather than having the attitude that we will have to dismiss them. By the time the Indian team woke up, I think they were set, and things were going in their favor,” Wasim Jaffer added.
India had already taken the lead in the two-Test series by winning the first match in Galle by 165 runs from August 15 to 19. The Colombo draw meant India finished the series with a 1-0 victory, while Sri Lanka’s spirited resistance prevented the visitors from completing a 2-0 sweep.
