Dinesh Chandimal scored a gritty unbeaten 162 in trying conditions after Sri Lanka were reduced to 5 for 3 and later 95 for 5 against India in the first Test. The innings took Sri Lanka to a commanding 367, leaving India a steep 176 to win in the fourth innings at Galle — something no side has done before at the ground. His knock was potentially a game-changing one that has finally shown just how good Chandimal is. Shiamak Unwalla feels the knock was a long time coming, and that this could be the start of something special for Chandimal. Live Cricket Scorecard: India vs Sri Lanka 2015, 1st Test at Galle, Day 3
There were always signs that Dinesh Chandimal was meant for big things. He scored 111 in only his second ODI as Sri Lanka beat India with 10 balls to spare. Four matches later he hit an unbeaten 105 against England at Lord’s to help Sri Lanka chase down England’s 247 with 10 balls to spare (again). With a start like that, it is no wonder Chandimal was touted as Sri Lanka’s next big thing. That he has scored only 14 half-centuries and no more tons in 100 ODIs tells a surprising tale. READ: VVS Laxman’s tips for budding slip fielders
Flashes of his genius that showed at infrequent intervals; an unbeaten 92 against South Africa and 81 against India at Adelaide among them, but perhaps his most memorable innings in recent times came in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Chasing Australia’s 377-run target Chandimal came in at 201 for 4 before absolutely exploding. He hit 53 off 24 with eight fours and a six before getting injured. He was unable to resume his innings and Sri Lanka went down by 64 runs. Had he batted till the end anything might have happened in that match. READ: Lack of DRS hurt Sri Lanka and overall fairness of game badly
Sri Lanka were 192 behind India at the start of their second innings. Five balls into their innings Ravichandran Ashwin bowled Dimuth Karunaratne. In the very next over an Amit Mishra googly cleaned up Kaushal Silva. The first ball of the next morning saw Sri Lanka lose another wicket. Sri Lanka were 5 for 3 before Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews added 87. Within seven balls of Sangakkara’s dismissal, Mathews was out as well. Sri Lanka were 95 for 5. When India went to lunch, still comfortably ahead of Sri Lanka, they would have envisioned an early finish. READ: India’s batsmen show positive signs, but need to learn how to fire collectively
What followed was a rearguard action the likes of which are seen infrequently. Chandimal found able allies in Lahiru Thirimanne and Jehan Mubarak with whom he added 125 and 82 respectively. India’s bowlers were getting frustrated, and Chandimal was growing in confidence. By the time the tail came in Chandimal was well enough set to clear the top at will. Chandimal rallied the tail around him, adding 65 for the last three wickets. The last three men scored 11 runs between them. READ: Virat Kohli’s lack of daddy hundreds a worry for India
For some inexplicable reason, Chandimal batted at No. 7 in the first innings, below even Mubarak, whose Test average currently hovers around the 17-mark. With a top-order slot up for grabs after Sangakkara’s retirement, Chandimal will be suited best to take the position in the order. He has the temperament and the ability to succeed, and this could be the innings that propels him — and with him, Sri Lanka — forward. READ: Ravichandran Ashwin continues renaissance with six-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in 1st Test at Galle
(Shiamak Unwalla, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a self-confessed Sci-Fi geek who loves cricket more than cricketers. His Twitter handle is @ShiamakUnwalla)
Written by 
