Former Indian Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara has heaped praise on Sonal Dinusha after the second Test match ended in a draw at Colombo on Thursday. Dinusha scored twin centuries in the match, scoring an unbeaten knock of 133 runs off 264 balls in the second innings. Furthermore, he scored 103 runs in the first innings as he batted at the top of his game. Thus, he was awarded Player of the Match for his fine knocks in both innings.

The left-hander turned out to be a thorn in India’s flesh throughout the series. The southpaw amassed 420 runs in two Test matches at a stunning average of 140 and ended as the highest run-getter of the series. 

Pujara compared the left-hander with legendary Sri Lankan batters like Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara.

Cheteshwar Pujara said on Cricinfo, “The way he has batted throughout the series has been phenomenal. He takes me into that era of batters like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. When I was growing up, I used to look up to those Sri Lankan players. In 5-10 years, Sonal Dinusha can be one of the greats of Sri Lankan cricket. He has shown that potential. The way he batted on the last day of the second Test match, it was a commendable effort.”

Pujara also gave credit to Keshara Nuwantha and Lahiru Kumara for supporting Sonal Dinusha. While Nuwantha batted for 150 balls for his 46 balls, Kumara played 90 deliveries for his 12 runs.

“Credit to Keshara Nuwantha and Lahiru Kumara as well. The partnerships were very crucial. The kind of technique Nuwantha showed was surprising because his first-class record doesn’t suggest that. Especially against the spinners, he was allowing the ball to hit the bat.

“The pitch was on the easier side, but the ball was turning a bit. There was a little bit of movement for the seamers with the second new ball and there was pressure,” the former India batter added.

India won the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka by 1-0.