Sri Lankan batsman Dinesh Chandimal delivered a masterclass on September 26, 2024, as he notched his 16th Test century during the second Test against New Zealand in Galle. Coming to the crease after an early wicket, Chandimal built a crucial partnership with skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, pushing Sri Lanka to a solid position on Day 1 of the match. His century, reached in 171 balls, helped the hosts recover from an initial setback, leaving them in command as the game progressed.
This century holds special significance for Chandimal, as it ends a two-year drought of triple-figure scores in Test cricket. His last ton came in May 2022 against Bangladesh. With this performance, Chandimal joins an elite group of Sri Lankan players, including Angelo Mathews, Tillakaratne Dilshan, and Marvan Atapattu, with 16 Test centuries, ranking fourth in Sri Lanka’s all-time Test century list behind legends Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Aravinda de Silva.
Chandimal’s innings came at a crucial time, as Sri Lanka had already won the first Test in the series by 63 runs. The veteran’s performance further consolidates his role as one of the pivotal figures in Sri Lankan cricket, especially after facing a challenging period of form since 2023. His ability to lead from the front against a disciplined New Zealand bowling attack has provided the team with a platform for a strong total.
Sri Lanka, buoyed by this century, will look to build on their momentum and push for a series sweep against the Black Caps, who have struggled historically at Galle.
This match also marks Chandimal’s continued resurgence in red-ball cricket, reaffirming his place among Sri Lanka’s most dependable batsmen. His next challenge will be converting this century into a potentially match-winning innings as Sri Lanka eyes a substantial total.
With this performance, Chandimal has also scored Test tons against nine different international teams, showcasing his versatility and experience on the global stage.
