Colombo, Aug 27: India and Sri Lanka played out a draw in the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club here, with the visitors finishing the two-match series 1-0 ahead and remaining fifth in the World Test Championship standings.
India had appeared firmly in control after declaring their first innings at 503/9 and bowling Sri Lanka out for 290. However, the hosts showed considerable resilience in their second innings to deny India a clean sweep.
Devdutt Padikkal led India’s batting effort with a 117, while Dhruv Jurel remained unbeaten on 115. Rishabh Pant also contributed a brisk 63. Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando was the standout bowler for the hosts, claiming four wickets.
India’s bowlers then restricted Sri Lanka to 290, with Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar taking three wickets each.
With a 213-run first-innings lead, India enforced the follow-on and needed 10 wickets to secure a 2-0 series victory.
Sri Lanka, though, produced a determined fightback. Sonal Dinusha, who had scored a century in the first innings, continued his impressive form with an unbeaten 133. Pasindu Sooriyabandara made 92, while Kamindu Mendis contributed 55 as Sri Lanka reached 429/9 before time ran out.
The draw earned India one point-equivalent in the WTC standings and left them fifth with 68 points and a 51.52 per cent points percentage. Sri Lanka remain sixth with 24 points and a 33.33 per cent PCT.
Australia continue to lead the standings with 96 points and an 80 per cent PCT, followed by South Africa on 75 per cent and New Zealand on 72.22 per cent.
Bangladesh occupy fourth place with a 55.56 per cent PCT, while England, West Indies and Pakistan are seventh, eighth and ninth respectively.
WTC standings: Australia (96, 80%), South Africa (36, 75%), New Zealand (52, 72.22%), Bangladesh (40, 55.56%), India (68, 51.52%), Sri Lanka (24, 33.33%), England (50, 29.76%), West Indies (30, 20.83%), Pakistan (16, 19.05%).
