Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar has showered praise on Pasindu Sooriyabandara after the rookie Sri Lankan batter scored an impressive knock of 80 runs off 133 balls on the third day of the second Test match at Colombo on Tuesday.

Sooriyabandara had come on as a concussion substitute for Dinesh Chandimal in the opening Test match at Galle but he was dismissed for a golden duck. However, the right-hander batted with great control on Tuesday and played a crucial knock.

Manjrekar said Sooriyabandara’s compact technique reminded him of young Virat Kohli.

Sanjay Manjrekar said on Sony Sports, “Sooriyabandara has a good technique with the head coming right on top of the ball. It reminded me of Virat Kohli as a young player when he would get his head right on top of the ball.”

Sooriyabandara is batting unbeaten on 52 runs in the second innings.

Manjrekar also praised Sonal Dinusha, who scored another impressive knock of 103 runs in the first innings and continued his rich form.

“Dinusha has everything going for him at the moment. He has tremendous skills against pace and spin, with an excellent temperament. He bats like he’s 50 Test matches old,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka went on to score 290 runs in the first innings, but Manjrekar thought India would be able to bowl out the hosts for under 200. However, Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha played a key role in helping Sri Lanka get close to the 300-run mark.

“I thought Sri Lanka would be bowled out on Day 3 for under 175 with the kind of promise shown by the Indian bowlers at the end of Day 2. But the two young Sri Lankan batters halted India. Sri Lanka have made it hard for India to dominate them throughout the series. Though India are still dominant, it has been slow domination. I thought India would have them all out for at least under 200 and make them bat again,” said Manjrekar (via the aforementioned source).

Sri Lanka is currently 123-2 in the second innings while following on.