IND vs SL, 2nd Test: Dhruv Jurel shines as India dominate Day 2 in Colombo
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "IND vs SL, 2nd Test: Dhruv Jurel shines as India dominate Day 2 in Colombo")
India's Dhruv Jurel celebrates after scoring a century Photograph: (AFP)
Jurel’s hundred and Pant’s explosive batting powered India to a commanding 503 before their bowlers reduced Sri Lanka to 8/2 at stumps on Day 2.
Dhruv Jurel answered questions over his recent form with a calm unbeaten 115 as India declared at 503/9 to strengthen their position in the second Test against Sri Lanka on a rain-hit second day. Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar struck early to reduce Sri Lanka to 8/2 at stumps, with Kamil Mishara unbeaten on five and the hosts still trailing by 495 runs.
The day belonged to Jurel, who scored 51 in the first innings of the series opener in Galle to end a drought of eight innings without a half-century. At the SSC, the 25-year-old played a superb 177-ball innings, showing patience, control and good shot selection.
Jurel first joined hands with Rishabh Pant for a 112-run seventh-wicket stand that took India from 307 for six to 419. He then added 39 runs with Manav Suthar to take India past 500.
Pant had initially taken the attack to Sri Lanka after returning to the crease following his retirement hurt on three on Sunday.
Despite Sri Lanka’s pacers repeatedly bowling short at him, Pant scored a quick 63 from 81 balls. He reached his fifty with a six off Prabath Jayasuriya, but was dismissed soon after lunch while attempting a big shot against Keshara Nuwantha.
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Jurel then took charge and showed great maturity and handled both pace and spin comfortably and kept scoring without taking unnecessary risks.
He reached his fifty from 97 balls, but rain stopped play when he was on 95. After almost two hours, Jurel returned to complete his century with a single off Asitha Fernando and reached the landmark in 171 balls.
Jurel removed his helmet to celebrate, revealing a tattoo on his biceps that reads ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’, the famous slogan associated with former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.
After reaching three figures, Jurel increased the tempo and hit two sixes off Fernando, one over long-off and another over square leg. India then crossed 500 before captain Shubman Gill declared.
Rain limited India’s chances of taking more wickets before stumps, but Krishna and Suthar still removed Lahiru Udara and Jayasuriya to leave Sri Lanka struggling at 8 for two.
