Sri Lanka managed to bounce back with a bang and went on to script a stunning win over Australia in the second Test, as the two-match series ended in a 1-1 draw. They put up a spirited fight and came back from the disappointment of the first Test to dismantle the visitors on Day 4, securing the match by an innings and 39 runs at Galle International Stadium as well. Dinesh Chandimal played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s victory as he smashed a double century, making him the first from the country to achieve the milestone against Australia. He remained unbeaten on 206*, as Sri Lanka posted 554/10 in their first innings, and took a huge lead of 190 runs.
However, during the innings, he surpassed Sri Lanka’s legend Kumar Sangakkara, who held the previous record for the highest individual score against Australia in Test. The wicketkeeper-batter had scored 192 at Perth in 2007 as well. Meanwhile, Chandimal hit Australia pacer Mitchell Starc for a four and followed it up with a couple of sixes on successive balls to reach the feat as well. And, in an unfortunate manner, one of the sixes landed on the street outside the stadium and hit a passerby.
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Dinesh Chandimal has torn strips off the Aussie attack, scoring an unbeaten 206* – bringing up his double century with two huge sixes, one of which ended up on the streets of Galle 🇱🇰🏏
LATEST 👉 https://t.co/pOShHsRakQ pic.twitter.com/AuBg6KpuIR
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) July 11, 2022
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Dinesh Chandimal, who won the Player of the Series award, said: “Over the moon. If you’re performing and team is winning, great feeling. Didn’t have any plan at all. Just went there, wanted to be proactive especially against spinner. Wanted to rotate strike. Was a tough wicket in the first game. When I saw the wicket here, thought that the pitch is going to be good in the first three days. Wanted to capitalise in that time. Thought that if we can get more than 100 lead, we could put them under pressure. Thanks to my family. There was lot of ups and downs. Was in the side, not in the side. But your family and wife is there. Teammates always give their support, the support-staff and fans all of them.”
