Dinesh Chandimal’s Stellar Performance Leads to 16th Test Century
Dinesh Chandimal’s outstanding batting effort not only earned him his 16th Test century but also showcased his mental resilience as he navigated through numerous close calls during his innings.
In the second Test against New Zealand in Galle on September 26, 2024, Chandimal celebrated his milestone with an impressive 116 runs off 208 balls. Batting coach Thilina Kandamby had emphasized the need for senior players to step up, and after accumulating 306 runs collectively—240 of which came from Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, and Angelo Mathews—the coach’s sentiments appeared justified, especially since this total was just 22 runs short of their combined score in the first Test.
Chandimal entered the crease early, following the dismissal of Pathum Nissanka in the second over, and quickly took charge, maintaining a run rate close to four an over during the initial stages. Despite the humid conditions and a brief rain interruption, he found the pitch more conducive than in the first Test.
After scoring 41 runs from his first 42 deliveries, he slowed his scoring rate as New Zealand’s spinners gained control of the game. Chandimal noted the importance of adjusting his approach as the spinners took the field, stating, “In Galle, it’s a bit easier when the seamers bowl and the field is not so spread out. We tried to maximize that period. But once the spinners came on, they kept bowling good lines and lengths, which is why we had to drop down a second gear.”
Despite facing several near-misses during his innings—three edges that narrowly evaded the slip cordon and a leading edge that fell short of short cover—Chandimal remained unfazed, viewing these moments as part of Test cricket. “You need a bit of luck to score a hundred—sometimes the ball doesn’t go where we intend, but we also have to credit the bowlers; they’re good,” he remarked.
This century marked Chandimal’s second this year and fifth since 2022, and notably, it was his first time batting at No. 3. Although he had been reluctant to take on this role in the past, he embraced the challenge for the team’s benefit, allowing rising star Kamindu Mendis to bat at No. 5 and Kusal Mendis to don the gloves.
At 34, Chandimal acknowledged the difficulties of keeping wickets and accepted the opportunity to guide younger players for the future of Sri Lankan cricket. “I have been batting at number five for most of my career, but I was asked to think about the team and move up to number three. I took that opportunity with both hands because we need to groom young players.”
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Chandimal, who was involved in a run-out incident with Dimuth Karunaratne before tea. The mishap occurred when Chandimal hesitated on a quick single, leaving Karunaratne short of his crease. Acknowledging his mistake, Chandimal expressed regret, stating, “I apologized to Dimuth as soon as I came off for tea. It was my fault, and I accept it.”
