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India and Sri Lanka produced an intriguing two-match Test series in 2026, with the visitors eventually clinching the series 1-0 after the second Test in Colombo ended in a draw. India won the opening Test in Galle by 165 runs, while Sri Lanka showed tremendous resilience in the second Test to deny India a series sweep.
While India’s bowlers, particularly Manav Suthar, made a huge impact across the series, several batters also enjoyed memorable campaigns. The standout performer was Sri Lanka’s young batter Sonal Dinusha, who produced remarkable consistency against a strong Indian bowling attack. Devdutt Padikkal was equally impressive for India, while Dhruv Jurel emerged as another significant contributor.
Here are the top three run-getters from the Sri Lanka vs India Test series 2026.
Sonal Dinusha was comfortably the leading run-scorer of the series and emerged as one of the biggest positives for Sri Lanka.
The young batter accumulated 420 runs across four innings at an astonishing average of 140.00. His consistency was remarkable, particularly considering he was facing an Indian attack that included Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Prasidh Krishna.
Dinusha’s series was defined by his ability to produce substantial scores when Sri Lanka needed them most. He scored centuries in both Tests and finished the series with three hundreds, becoming only the 12th batter overall and the third Sri Lankan to score three centuries in a two-Test series against India.
His most memorable performance came in the second innings of the Colombo Test. With India enforcing the follow-on and pushing for a series-clinching victory, Dinusha stood between the visitors and victory. He produced an unbeaten 133 to help Sri Lanka reach 429/9 and secure a draw.
His performance was even more impressive because he had already scored heavily in Galle. Dinusha’s maiden Test century in the first Test helped Sri Lanka fight back after India posted 462 in their first innings.
Dinusha’s remarkable consistency made him the undisputed batting star of the series. His ability to handle India’s spinners and play the sweep shot particularly effectively was one of the defining features of his campaign.
He reportedly scored 176 runs through sweep shots, surpassing Joe Root’s previous record for the most runs scored via that stroke in a Test series.
India’s Devdutt Padikkal finished second on the run-scoring charts with 328 runs from three innings at an average of 109.33.
The left-hander was one of the biggest revelations of India’s successful campaign. Padikkal played a match-defining innings in the first Test at Galle, scoring a magnificent 167 in India’s first innings.
His marathon knock provided India with the foundation for a massive total of 462 after the visitors had been reduced to 193 in their first innings.
Padikkal’s innings demonstrated considerable temperament. Rather than attempting to dominate Sri Lanka’s spinners recklessly, he built his innings methodically and capitalised on scoring opportunities.
He carried that form into the second Test in Colombo as well. Padikkal scored another century, becoming one of India’s most consistent batters across the two-Test series.
His performances were particularly significant because India’s batting lineup contained several established names, including Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. Yet Padikkal managed to outscore all of them.
His series average of over 109 underlines just how dominant his performances were.
Padikkal’s ability to convert starts into big scores will be one of the biggest takeaways for India from the series. With the youngster showing that he can handle pressure in Test cricket, his performances could strengthen his case for a more permanent role in India’s red-ball setup.
Dhruv Jurel completes the top three with 173 runs at an impressive average of 86.50.
The wicketkeeper-batter played only three innings but made each opportunity count. His contributions were particularly valuable because he provided India with stability in the lower middle order.
Jurel’s most significant contribution came in the first Test at Galle, where he scored 51 during India’s imposing first-innings total of 462.
He then produced another excellent performance in Colombo, scoring a century that helped India establish control of the second Test. Cricket Australia highlighted his hundred as one of the key moments of India’s dominant first innings.
Jurel’s ability to contribute substantial runs while also handling the wicketkeeping duties made him an important member of India’s XI.
Although he finished well behind Padikkal and Dinusha in the overall run-scoring charts, his average of 86.50 indicates how efficiently he converted his opportunities.
His performances in Sri Lanka could therefore be viewed as another important step in his development as a Test cricketer.
Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Sajid Khan, Ali Usman, Mohammad Abbas, Ubaid Shah
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