COLOMBO, AUG 24 (IANS): India tightened its grip on the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, thanks to a commanding batting display led by Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant, followed by incisive bowling in fading light. On Day Two, India declared their innings at 503 for nine, built around Jurel’s unbeaten 115 and Pant’s aggressive 63, before reducing Sri Lanka to 8 for two in just three overs, leaving the hosts trailing by a massive 495 runs with eight wickets in hand.
The day began with India looking to consolidate their strong position, but Sri Lanka struck early with the second new ball. Debutant Saransh Jain was undone by a sharp bouncer from Asitha Fernando, edging to gully. Pant, who had retired hurt earlier after a blow to his wrist, returned to the crease and was immediately tested with a barrage of short-pitched deliveries. Despite taking painful hits to his shoulder, Pant counterattacked in his trademark style, pulling Lahiru Kumara for a towering six that sailed over the stadium roof and even damaged a solar panel. His fearless strokeplay, combined with deft paddle sweeps and decisive footwork, unsettled the Sri Lankan bowlers.
At the other end, Jurel played with composure, relying on crisp drives and authoritative pulls against the spinners. Together, Pant and Jurel guided India safely to lunch, both reaching their half-centuries. Pant’s innings ended immediately after the break when he lofted Keshara Nuwantha straight to long-off, departing for a lively 63 off 89 balls. Jurel, however, remained unflustered and found support in Manav Suthar, who handled the short-ball tactics with confidence and even lofted Nuwantha over mid-off. Their partnership added 39 runs before Jayasuriya dismissed Suthar for 18, drawing an edge to the wicketkeeper.
With Mohammed Siraj defending stoutly at the other end, Jurel cleverly farmed the strike. He employed reverse sweeps and flicks to move into the 80s, but dark clouds and heavy rain forced an early tea break, delaying his milestone. After a two-hour interruption, play resumed under brighter skies. Jurel reached his second Test century, his first in Sri Lanka, with a drive over Fernando’s head and a risky single. He celebrated by revealing a tattoo inscribed with “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,” a gesture that drew applause from teammates.
Once past his century, Jurel accelerated, striking Fernando for sixes over long-on and square leg. Siraj’s resistance ended when Jayasuriya trapped him lbw, but Prasidh Krishna joined Jurel to add the finishing touches. Krishna struck a boundary through cover to push India past 500, after which skipper Shubman Gill declared the innings at 503 for nine, confident of exploiting the challenging conditions for batting.
India’s bowlers wasted no time in making inroads. Siraj bowled a tight opening over, while Krishna struck with his second ball, dismissing Lahiru Udara for one with a delivery that straightened sharply and was brilliantly caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully. With light deteriorating rapidly, Suthar was introduced and trapped nightwatcher Jayasuriya lbw with a skidding delivery, a decision upheld on review. A frustrated Jayasuriya flung his gloves upon returning to the pavilion as umpires called stumps, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 8 for two.
India’s dominance on Day Two was built on Jurel’s resilience and Pant’s aggression, supported by disciplined lower-order batting and sharp bowling. With a lead of nearly 500 runs and Sri Lanka already two wickets down, India are firmly in control and poised to press for victory as the match heads into its third day.
Brief scores:
India 503/9 decl in 138 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 117, Dhruv Jurel 115 not out; Asitha Fernando 4-106, Prabath Jayasuriya 2-132) lead Sri Lanka 8/2 in three overs (Kamil Mishara five not out; Prasidh Krishna 1-1, Manav Suthar 1-6) by 495 runs
