Dhruv Jurel struck a responsible 115 not out off 177 balls to put India firmly in control of the second Test at the SSC in Colombo on Monday.
On a rain-truncated second day, Shubman Gill’s men declared on 503/9 and then picked up two Sri Lankan wickets in three overs before play was called off due to bad light.
The hosts had an encouraging start to the day, but a fit Rishabh Pant resumed his innings at the fall of Saransh Jain. He put away a bouncer from Asitha Fernando over the fine-leg fence to make a statement, his 95-meter six crushing a solar panel on the stadium roof in the process.
Pant continued to make merry as he next targeted Keshara Nuwantha for back-to-back boundaries. With Jurel for company, Pant was at his explosive best. The keeper-batters brought up their respective half-centuries in the space of four deliveries.
Pant fought gallantly against the pacers during his near two-hour stay at the crease, batting with confidence and little discomfort. His 63 off 89 balls might not reflect the true picture since Pant had to dig deep to reach that mark.
Pacers Fernando and Kumara targeted his body with a bouncer barrage, and the
former even managed to ping on his shoulder once. Pant, who made 66 in the second innings at Galle, reached his fifty off 81 balls with a pulled four off Nuwantha.
Sri Lanka were put under the pump when Pant took on Prabath Jayasuriya for a four and six off successive deliveries just before the Lunch break. The break in momentum helped the hosts big time as they struck with the first ball after Lunch, Pant finding the fielder in his attempt to go big again.
But Jurel let nothing disturb his concentration. Even the rain breaks had no impact as he held the innings together. Jurel endured a nervous time in the nineties before finally reaching his ton. He spent 21 deliveries after reaching 99, bidding his time patiently for that crucial single. Sri Lanka, on their part, played on the psychology of the situation by bringing in the field.
The pressure told in the end, as Jurel stole a quick single to mid-off, one where a direct hit would have seen him return to the pavilion. He dived full length as the throw missed the stumps before being embraced by a delighted Mohammed Siraj from the non-striker’s end.
After his second Test century, Jurel broke free to smash a couple of sixes that helped India push their total beyond 500.
Sri Lanka will face a crucial opening session on Tuesday as they strive to save themselves from the ignominy of a whitewash.