‘Looking like Tendulkar’ – Rajeev Shukla praises Sonal Dinusha after he makes merry with the bat

Sonal Dinusha has drawn widespread praise from cricket fans and observers after scoring centuries in both Tests against India in 2026. The 25-year-old left-handed batting all-rounder from Colombo has been compared to Sachin Tendulkar on social media, from Rajiv Shukla around his batting displays.

The post from Shukla described Dinusha as ‘looking like Tendulkar’, reflecting the admiration that has built around the Sri Lankan batter across the two-match series. Dinusha, who bowls spin and spent his childhood at Mahanama College, is yet to make his ODI or T20I debut, making his Test performances all the more notable.

“This Sonal of Srilanka is an amazing player. Looking like Tendulkar. Can be a wonderful test player in international cricket,” wrote Shukla on X.

Dinusha’s innings-by-innings record against India

In the 1st Test at Galle, Dinusha walked in at No. 6 with Sri Lanka placed at 90/5 and scored 100 in his maiden Test innings at that level. He added a 146-run sixth-wicket partnership with Niroshan Dickwella, who contributed 80, as Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 284. In the second innings at Galle, Dinusha scored 84, falling 16 runs short of what would have been a second century in the same match.

Dinusha then carried his form into the 2nd Test at the SSC in Colombo. Batting at No. 7 after India had posted 503/9 declared, he came in with Sri Lanka at 137/5 and scored 103 off 162 deliveries. He resumed Day 4 unbeaten on 85 overnight and completed his century before Sri Lanka were bowled out for 290. India enforced the follow-on, holding a 213-run lead.

He is the first Sri Lankan to score successive hundreds from No. 6 or lower in the batting order. Dinusha is also known for his fine sweep shots, a trait that has drawn particular attention against India’s spin-heavy attack. In the 2nd Test, India’s bowlers included Prasidh Krishna, who took 3/52, and Manav Suthar, who took 3/85. Ravindra Jadeja had dismissed Dinusha in the 1st Test at Galle.

His place in the record books after Colombo

Across eight innings in his first five Tests, Dinusha has scored 473 runs at an average of 67.57. His four scores of 50 or more include the two centuries against India and a half-century against the West Indies. The Colombo Test is his fifth Test appearance. He also became the eighth batter in history to score hundreds in each of his first two Tests against India, equalling a world record in the process. Sri Lanka decalred with one wicket and the match has ended as drawn with India lifting the trophy 1-0.