Colombo: An unflappable Dhruv Jurel allayed concerns surrounding his form with a remarkably composed unbeaten 115 before bowlers struck early blows to give India command of the second Test against Sri Lanka on a rain-hit second day here on Monday.
Jurel’s second Test hundred powered India to a hefty 503 for nine declared in their first innings, and Sri Lanka were reduced to 8 for two at close after pacer Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar gave marching orders to Lahiru Udara and Prabath Jayasuriya respectively.
Kamil Mishara was batting on five when the stumps were drawn at 5.51 pm of an extended session. The hosts are trailing by 495 runs.
But the main storyline of the day was given by Jurel, fresh from his 51 in the first innings of the opening Test last week.
If the fifty at Galle broke a barren run of eight innings, Jurel underscored his growing confidence and touch with a near flawless knock at the SSC ground.
India gained immensely from his innings, and the right-hander was also involved in two vital stands — a 112 for the seventh wicket with Rishabh Pant that lifted India from 307 for six to 419.
