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Sri Lanka batter Sonal Dinusha has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for August 2026 after an outstanding series against India.
Dinusha was the top run-scorer in Sri Lanka’s two-Test home series against India, despite the hosts losing the series 1-0. The left-hander scored 420 runs at an average of 140.
He made a strong start to the series in Galle, scoring a century in the first Test. He followed it up with 84 in the second innings, but Sri Lanka went on to lose the match by 165 runs.
Dinusha was even better in the second Test at the SSC Ground in Colombo. With Sri Lanka looking to avoid a series clean sweep, he scored 103 in the first innings and remained unbeaten on 133 in the second as the hosts fought hard to secure a draw.
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He finished the series with three centuries and a half-century and was also named Player of the Match in Colombo.
“This recognition means a lot to me, especially this early in my career. I’m really grateful to the ICC for this honour. The series against India will always be special for me,” Dinusha said after receiving the award.
“Scoring three centuries was a dream come true, especially doing it in Galle and Colombo in front of our home fans. We didn’t get the result we wanted in the series, but the way we fought back in the second Test showed the character and belief in our team. I’m proud to have been part of that fight,” he added.
Dinusha made his Test debut against Bangladesh last year and has quickly become an important part of Sri Lanka’s red-ball setup.
“Playing for Sri Lanka is something I will never take for granted. This award gives me even more motivation to keep improving and contributing to the team. I will continue to give my best for Sri Lanka in the coming years,” he said.
Dinusha was nominated for the award alongside England pacer Ollie Robinson and Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud.
Robinson had a strong month in England’s home Test series against Pakistan, picking up 16 wickets. He recorded career-best figures of 8/80 in the first Test at Headingley and followed it with 8/35 at Lord’s.
Hasan Mahmud also played a key role in Bangladesh’s historic Test win over Australia in Darwin. He took six wickets in the first innings and three in the second as Bangladesh secured a memorable victory. The two-match series eventually ended 1-1.
However, Dinusha’s remarkable batting performances against India saw him take the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for August.