Colombo, August 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Dhruv Jurel’s unbeaten 115, Rishabh Pant’s attacking 63 and a late double strike from India’s bowlers put the visitors firmly in control of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Monday.
India declared their first innings at 503/9 after a two-hour-and-10-minute rain interruption and then reduced Sri Lanka to 8/2 in just three overs before fading light ended play. Sri Lanka now trail by 495 runs with eight wickets remaining in their first innings.
Jurel anchored India’s lower-order charge with a composed 115 off 177 balls, his second Test century and first in Sri Lankan conditions. Pant provided the aggression, scoring 63 off 89 deliveries despite having earlier retired hurt after being struck on his left wrist.
India suffered an early setback when debutant Saransh Jain edged a sharp bouncer from Asitha Fernando to gully. Pant then joined Jurel and counter-attacked despite sustained short-pitched bowling from Fernando and Lahiru Kumara.
Pant pulled a Kumara delivery down the leg side over the stadium roof, with the ball damaging a solar panel in the process. He also absorbed two blows to his right shoulder but responded with paddle sweeps, aggressive footwork and powerful strokes.
The partnership flourished as Jurel employed crisp drives, flicks and pulls against Sri Lanka’s spinners. Pant reached his 21st Test fifty with a pull to square leg, while Jurel brought up his third Test half-century with a pull through mid-wicket.
Pant fell immediately after lunch, hitting Keshara Nuwantha straight to long-off. Jurel then combined with Manav Suthar, who contributed 18 as the pair added 39 runs before Prabath Jayasuriya dismissed Suthar, caught behind after he edged while pushing outside off.
Jurel continued to manage the strike effectively and reached the 80s with a reverse sweep off Sonal Dinusha. Rain and worsening weather then forced another interruption.
After play resumed, Jurel completed his century by driving Fernando over the bowler’s head and completing a risky single. He celebrated by raising his sleeve to reveal his “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” tattoo.
The centurion then shifted gears, hitting Fernando for a six over long-on. Jayasuriya dismissed Mohammed Siraj leg before wicket, while Jurel added another six off Fernando. Prasidh Krishna struck a boundary through cover before India crossed 500, prompting captain Shubman Gill to declare.
India immediately attacked under difficult batting conditions. Siraj conceded only one run in the opening over before Krishna dismissed Lahiru Udara for one, with Yashasvi Jaiswal taking a diving catch at gully.
Suthar then trapped nightwatchman Jayasuriya leg before wicket with the final ball of the third over. The decision survived a review on umpire’s call, after which play was halted because of deteriorating light.
Brief scores: India 503/9 declared 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 3 overs (Kamil Mishara 5 not out; Prasidh Krishna 1/1, Manav Suthar 1/6) by 495 runs.
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