Dhruv Jurel’s unbeaten century and a late double strike with the ball ensured India remained firmly in control at the end of Day 2 of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
India declared after posting a massive first-innings total of 503/9 as Dhruv Jurel joined Devdutt Padikkal in the first-innings centurion list. Sri Lanka’s response got off to a bad start, reaching stumps at 8/2 while trailing by 495 runs with debutant Kamil Mishara unbeaten on 5.
India restarted the final session at 475/8, with Jurel sitting on 95 and Mohammed Siraj alongside him. Jurel safely navigated a tense period, enduring 13 straight dot balls while stranded on 99 before completing his second Test century off 171 deliveries. Once past three figures, the wicketkeeper-batter accelerated, hitting a pair of sixes over long-on.
Prabath Jayasuriya eventually dismissed Siraj for 3, but Prasidh Krishna helped push the visitors beyond 500. India declared at 503/9 in 138 overs, with Jurel standing firm on 115 not out alongside Prasidh (4*). Asitha was Sri Lanka’s standout bowler with 4/106, while Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha claimed two wickets each.
Sri Lanka stumble late after strong Indian batting performance
Sri Lanka’s opening innings began poorly as Lahiru Udana edged Prasidh Krishna to at third slip to fall for just 1. As light faded, Indian spinners stepped in, and Manav Suthar struck immediately by trapping nightwatchman Jayasuriya leg-before for 2, leaving the host side reeling at 8/2 at the close of day’s play.
Earlier in the day, Rishabh Pant and Jurel added 112 runs for the seventh wicket to put India on top before lunch. Their effort marked only the second time India recorded a century stand for the seventh wicket or lower in a Test in Sri Lanka, matching a 104-run partnership by Cheteshwar Pujara and Amit Mishra in 2015.
During his knock, Pant broke MS Dhoni’s record for the most Test runs scored by an Indian wicketkeeper in away or neutral venues.
The middle-order heroics built on a solid opening day where Devdutt Padikkal scored 117, and captain Shubman Gill added a fifty to recover from 66/2 and set up India’s dominant 503-run total.
Brief Scores: India 503/9 dec (Devdutt Padikkal 117, Dhruv Jurel 115; Asitha Fernando 4/106) vs Sri Lanka 8/2 (Kamil Mishara 5; Prasidh Krishna 1/1).