NEW DELHI: Around April, to say that Dinesh Chandimal was under pressure would have been an understatement. Considered by many as the one to take Sri Lankan cricket forward, his future in the team was under threat.
The then Sanath Jayasuriya-led selection committee even wanted Chandimal to be dropped for the Champions Trophy. It needed massive persuasion from Angelo Mathews, who was captaining the side then, for Chandimal to board the flight to London.
Following a dismal tournament, he was dropped for the home series against Zimbabwe, before making a return to the Test side as captain when India toured in July-August.Pneumonia ruled him out of the first Test. He returned, only to lead Sri Lanka to what he called the “worst series loss of the year” as his reign as skipper started with a 3-0 whitewash against India.
Dropped again for the ODI series, it took an injury to Asela Gunaratne for Chandimal to get his place back.An unexpected turnaround happened in the UAE, as Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan 2-0 in Tests, with Chandimal scoring an unbeaten 155 in Abu Dhabi.
He came to India knowing that no side from the island had ever won a Test here. In Kolkata, he was seething in anger as his young batsmen seemed to throw away a Test that was for most parts in their grip. In Nagpur, after winning the toss, he witnessed teammates crumble on a surface perfect for batting where he scored two half-centuries.
At Kotla, when he walked in late on Sunday evening, Chandimal knew there was no room for mistakes, particularly with his friend, the experienced Mathews, not in the best of form.
After taking Sri Lanka to stumps without further damage, they still had a mountain to climb on Monday.And though Mathews ground his way to his first Test century in two years — his last was also against India in 2015 — Chandimal was more expressive and commanding.
Right through his stay of 341 balls, where he stroked an unbeaten 147, Chandimal showed great application and calmness that have been lacking in this Lankan batting line-up.
The 181-run stand for the fourth wicket ensured the hosts would bat again, although the dismissal of Mathews left Chandimal short of partners as India’s bowlers hit back on a flat track where the odd ball kept low.
Mathews felt the attack was not giving much away and they had to fight for each run.
“I was waiting for an opportunity. We had to grind and work hard. Chandi was batting so well. His knock was a flowing one. For me not the most fluent innings, but one where I had to work extremely hard. I am glad that I did that.”