India Take Control of Colombo Test
India seized control of the second Test against Sri Lanka after Dhruv Jurel smashed an unbeaten 115 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.
India declared at 503-9 late on day two. Sri Lanka then lost two wickets in just three overs.
Rain and poor light prevented India from bowling for long. Still, the hosts finished the day at 8-2.
Sri Lanka now trail India by 495 runs.
Jurel produced the key innings for India. The wicketkeeper-batter hit nine fours and two sixes during his second Test century.
His hundred helped India build a huge first-innings total.
Jurel and Pant Put India in Command
India resumed the day at 300-5. Rishabh Pant returned to the crease after retiring hurt on Sunday.
Pant had suffered a blow to his forearm. However, the injury did not stop him from attacking the Sri Lankan bowlers.
Pant and Jurel added 112 runs for the seventh wicket. Their partnership pushed India further ahead.
Pant reached a fighting half-century before lunch. He then fell for 63 soon after the break.
The batter stepped out against Nuwantha Keshara but mistimed his shot. A fielder at long-off completed the catch.
Manav Suthar soon followed Pant back to the pavilion.
Jurel, however, continued to attack.
Jurel Completes Second Test Century
Jurel reached 99 before rain interrupted play again.
When the game resumed, he completed his century in dramatic fashion.
Jurel tapped Asitha Fernando toward mid-off and sprinted for a single. He then dived to beat a possible direct hit.
After reaching three figures, Jurel celebrated with Mohammed Siraj.
The milestone gave Jurel even more confidence.
He smashed Fernando over long-on for six. In the bowler’s next over, Jurel pulled another delivery into the stands.
He eventually finished unbeaten on 115 as India declared on 503-9.
Fernando led Sri Lanka’s bowling attack with 4-106.
India Strike Twice Before Bad Light
India needed only three overs to make an early impact with the ball.
Yashasvi Jaiswal produced an excellent catch at third slip to dismiss Lahiru Udara.
Bad light then forced India to turn to spin.
Suthar immediately delivered.
The spinner trapped Prabath Jayasuriya leg before wicket in his first over.
Sri Lanka ended the day on 8-2. The hosts still need 496 runs just to draw level with India’s first innings.
India therefore enter the next phase of the Colombo Test in a commanding position.
Jaiswal and Fernando Fined
The match also carried disciplinary fallout from Sunday.
Jaiswal and Sri Lanka seamer Asitha Fernando each received a 25% fine from their match fees.
Both players also received one demerit point.
The penalties followed an on-field altercation between the two players during the previous day’s play.
