Colombo: Dhruv Jurel produced a composed and clinical unbeaten century to further strengthen India’s grip on the second Test, guiding the visitors to a commanding first-innings total of 503/9 declared before India struck twice to reduce Sri Lanka to 8/2 on a rain-interrupted Day 2 of the second and final Test of the two-match series on Monday, August 24, at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo.
India resumed Day 2 at 300/5, with Jurel continuing his composed and outstanding knock, remaining unbeaten on 115 off 177 balls to complete his second Test century. He found valuable support from Rishabh Pant, who struck a brisk 63 off 89 deliveries, as India added 203 runs to their overnight total and posted a commanding 503/9 in 138 overs before declaring their innings. Sri Lanka began their first innings facing a daunting target of 504 and suffered an early setback, losing both openers within the first three overs to slip to 8/2. They ended the rain-interrupted day trailing India by 495 runs, with eight wickets still in hand.
India resumed their first innings at 300/5 but suffered an early setback when debutant Saransh Jain was dismissed for 6 off 8 balls by Asitha Fernando. Rishabh Pant then returned to the crease and joined Jurel after being injured and retiring hurt for 3 on Day 1. The two wicketkeeper-batters steadied the innings with a calm and controlled approach, taking charge of the situation and easing the pressure on India. They stitched together a vital 112-run partnership for the seventh wicket, helping India reach a strong position of 419/6 at lunch. Rishabh Pant played a fluent and aggressive innings, bringing up his half-century off 81 balls before scoring 63 off 89 deliveries, including six fours and two towering sixes. However, his impressive knock came to an end when Keshara Nuwantha provided Sri Lanka with a crucial breakthrough. Nuwantha tossed the ball up around off, prompting Pant to charge down the track and attack. He struck it flat towards mid-off, where Lahiru Udara held a sharp catch. With this innings, Rishabh Pant moved past legendary MS Dhoni to become India’s highest run-scorer as a designated wicketkeeper in away or neutral Tests, adding another significant milestone to his growing record. Pant crossed the 2,500-run mark in the category, surpassing Dhoni’s previous tally of 2,496 runs. He reached the milestone at an average of nearly 42, comfortably ahead of Dhoni’s 32.84. With this innings, Rishabh Pant moved past legendary MS Dhoni to become India’s highest run-scorer as a designated wicketkeeper in away or neutral Tests, adding another significant milestone to his growing record. Pant crossed the 2,500-run mark in the category, surpassing Dhoni’s previous tally of 2,496 runs. He reached the milestone at an average of nearly 42, comfortably ahead of Dhoni’s 32.84. Former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer occupies third place on the list with 1,209 runs at 32.67, followed by Syed Kirmani with 1,109 runs at 21.74 and Kiran More with 901 runs at 29.06. Pant also continued his remarkable rise through India’s Test record books, surpassing captain Shubman Gill to become India’s highest run-scorer in ICC World Test Championship history. With this innings, Pant took his tally to 2,948 runs from 42 Tests, moving past Gill’s 2,917 runs from the same number of matches. Rohit Sharma follows with 2,716 runs from 40 Tests, ahead of Ravindra Jadeja (2,675 from 50), Virat Kohli (2,617 from 46) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (2,588 from 30). Following Pant’s dismissal, Manav Suthar joined Jurel at the crease and contributed 18 runs before being dismissed by Prabath Jayasuriya. The afternoon session was repeatedly interrupted by rain, forcing an early tea break. Jurel continued his composed and controlled innings despite wickets falling around him. India went to tea at 475/8, with Jurel standing firm on 95 not out, just five runs away from century. He played a composed and controlled innings, handling the short balls exceptionally well and reaching his half-century off 97 balls by pulling left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya for a boundary. Jurel then shifted gears, accelerated his scoring and brought up an excellent second Test century. Jurel had to survive a tense moment after a run-out chance when he was on 99, but he kept his composure and received crucial support from Mohammed Siraj, who contributed three runs and helped Jurel reach the milestone. Jurel also became only the second Indian batter after Hardik Pandya, who scored 108 at Pallekele in 2017, to score a century while batting at No. 7 or lower in a Test match in Sri Lanka. After Nitish Kumar Reddy’s century in Melbourne in 2024, no Indian batter had scored a Test century while batting at No. 7 or lower until Jurel achieved the feat in Colombo. Jurel remained unbeaten on 115, including nine fours and two sixes, as he provided important lower-order resistance and helped India cross the 500-run mark. Shubman Gill then declared the innings with India on 503/9 in 138 overs. For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando led the bowling attack with three wickets on the opening day and added one more on Day 2 to complete a four-wicket haul. Prabath Jayasuriya also claimed two crucial wickets on the second day.
Facing a mammoth target of 504, Sri Lanka began their first innings under immense pressure and suffered an early blow, losing both openers within the first three overs to slip to 8/2. Prasidh Krishna provided India’s first breakthrough by dismissing Lahiru Udara for 1 in the second over. He bowled on a good length around middle, forcing Udara to edge the ball towards third slip, where Yashasvi Jaiswal reacted sharply to complete an excellent two-handed catch. Manav Suthar was then trapped lbw by Prabath Jayasuriya for just two, leaving Sri Lanka in deep trouble early in their innings. With that, Sri Lanka ended the day at 8/2, trailing by 495 runs with eight wickets still in hand. India ended the day firmly in control, leaving Sri Lanka with a massive deficit to overcome.
