Five positives Sri Lanka can take from the Test series against India

#4. Dickwella and Kusal ignite hope

Niroshan Dickwella shone at a time the Sri Lankan batters were struggling to consolidate

Poor batting was the prime reason for Sri Lanka's pathetic showing in the Test series. In six innings, they scored 300 runs only once and survived for only 75.3 overs per innings. Except for the gutsy resistance in the second innings of the second Test, the hosts batted with no plan or pattern.

But amidst the fragile middle order, Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Mendis ignited hope at several moments. Both batsmen scored more than 200 runs and ended with an average of 30 plus which is not commendable but at the same time is not poor as well.

Kusal played only one good inning but during that fourth innings hundred, he was entertaining and delightful to watch. He got starts on a couple of occasions but failed to convert them into something substantial. This is where the support staff has to step in and help the young batsman.

Dickwella, on the contrary, delivered something in his every knock. In the fourth innings of the first Test, he scored 67 runs while in the first innings of the second Test, he slammed a fifty off only 44 balls and counter-attacked the Indian bowlers. In the last innings of the third Test, he scored a gritty 41 to showcase his batting abilities.

Both the batsmen are under 25 years and hence can serve the national team for a long duration, if they receive appreciation and care.