Dhananjaya de Silva celebrates after scoring his third Test century

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Sri Lanka opener Dhananjaya de Silva scored an unbeaten 119 and debutant Roshen Silva struck 74 not out to help their side survive on the final day in Delhi and deny India a 2-0 series win.

Starting off the day on 31/3, Sri Lanka only added four runs to their overnight score before Angelo Mathews was caught by Ajinkya Rahane at slip off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja for one run.

Dhananjaya and captain Dinesh Chandimal made up for the loss of Mathews with a 112-run partnership, during which Dhananjaya cruised past his fifty, before Chandimal was clean bowled by Ravichandran Ashwin for 36.

Dhanajaya and Silva kept the runs flowing with a 58-run stand, but five overs before the tea break, Dhananjaya retired hurt on 119, which came off 219 balls and included 15 boundaries and a six, as he was struggling with a thigh problem.

Despite being presented with an opening, India were unable to take any wickets as Silva and wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella batted sensibly and forged an unbeaten 94-run partnership to ensure the match ended as a draw.

Silva finished on a career-best 74, which came off 154 balls and included 11 boundaries, while Dickwella remained undefeated on 44 off 72 deliveries, which included six boundaries.

Roshen Silva scored his maiden Test fifty

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Ashwin and Mohammed Shami claimed one wicket each.

India captain Virat Kohli, who was named Man of the Match, was disappointed not to finish Sri Lanka off, and said: “It was a good series personally and for the team. It was kind of a revelation that I can play in Tests the way I can do in ODIs.

“There’s nothing called set patterns these days, if you can believe in yourself, you can achieve anything in any format. When I wasn’t captain, it was difficult to think of situations. When I was finding my feet in Test cricket, I was under pressure. When I got to a milestone, I relaxed. Now, it’s a lot different.”

Chandimal was thrilled that his side took the fight to India on the last day, and said: “It was a really good series, apart from the second [Test]. We learnt a lot. Credit to the players and management for working hard. The guys executed their plans in the middle. Once Rangana was injured, everyone looked up to Angelo.

“Dhananjaya and Roshen batted really well in tough conditions against some great bowlers India have got. Dickwella played a totally different brand of cricket. Happy with the way we played today. Before I got here, I changed my technique. I’d worked hard in the nets with the batting coach. It’s paid off for me.

“It was a tough time, the thing is, we aren’t used to the pollution. That’s why we struggled in the first two days. We told the boys, we need to forget about it and play the game. Today was a fantastic day, felt like Sri Lanka. Thanks to the Indian fans too, thanks to Virat and the team, we wish them well for the tour of South Africa.”