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Meet Sonal Dinusha; Sri Lanka Debutant Who Has Replaced Angelo Mathews In 2nd Test

Debashis Sarangi

Kusal Mendis presented the Test cap to Sonal Dinusha [Source: @2Mirhamzamughal/X]Kusal Mendis presented the Test cap to Sonal Dinusha [Source: @2Mirhamzamughal/X]

In a significant development, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first in the second Test of the ongoing two-match series against Sri Lanka. The high-voltage clash at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo also witnessed the debut of young all-rounder Sonal Dinusha, who entered the Lankan XI as a replacement for Angelo Mathews. 

Who Is Sonal Dinusha?

Sonal Dinusha is a promising all-rounder, who makes his Test debut for the Island Nation in the decider against Bangladesh. The Colombo-born cricketer is hailed for his remarkable all-round attributes in the Sri Lankan domestic circuit. 

Talismanic cricketer Angelo Mathews recently bid adieu to Test cricket, with the series opener between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Galle being his final swan song in the format. The retirement of Mathews created a significant void in the Sri Lankan line-up, with Sonal Dinusha filling up the slot for the final game in Colombo. 

Born on December 4, 2000, Dinusha is a left-handed batter and left-arm off-spinner. He finished his education from Mahanama College in Colombo before taking up cricket as his profession. 

The 24-year-old cricketer has played 48 First-Class, 62 List-A and 18 T20 matches. He has been particularly successful as a red-ball player, amassing 2478 runs, including seven centuries and twelve half-centuries, at a healthy average of 40.62. 

Furthermore, he has also bamboozled the opponents with his left-arm spin, scalping 99 wickets across 69 innings, averaging 24.79 and striking at an impressive rate of 44.1. His inclusion empowers Sri Lanka with a valuable all-round asset, as he can be the go-to man for the hosts on Colombo's spin-friendly surface. 

Sri Lanka Playing XI For 2nd Test vs Bangladesh

Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Sonal Dinusha, Tharindu Ratnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando