India rule the roost at the end of Day 2 as Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant make hay
India finished Day 2 on a rollicking note after an all-round performance from the visitors saw them cementing their dominance in Colombo. A day that witnessed the rain gods throwing a late shade also saw some classy Indian batting in action while the bowlers put in a commanding shift in just the three overs that they could bowl.
India started the day at 300/5 but had an early setback as they lost Saransh Jain (6) to Asitha Fernando. However, an incoming Rishabh Pant effaced the Indian fears of a possible collapse as he came back from a wrist injury copped on Day 1 and batted with tremendous command to get the Indian juggernaut rolling.
He joined forces with Dhruv Jurel and the two looked in complete control as India started paving their own path of rampage. Pant took a while to settle down before switching gears. He brought up his 21st half-century from 82 balls, rocking five fours and a six by then. He got his fifty with an eccentric shot against Keshara Nuwantha as the ball jetted away to the fence.
Before Nuwantha could finally get hold of him on the very first ball after lunch, he had already added another four and a six to his tally before falling for 63. The duo added 112 runs for the seventh wicket, propelling India to a formidable stand.
Dhruv Jurel racked up his third Test half-century with a four as well as Prabath Jayasuriya stood in the firing line. Jurel got himself stranded in the nervous 90s as he flirted with danger at 99. And eventually when he did cross the line, it was with a very risky single against Asitha Fernando but he did arrive in the magic land.
India declared at 503/9 as Jurel stayed unbeaten for 115 while Mohammed Siraj gave him company at the other end. Asitha Fernando capped off the Sri Lankan charge with the most illustrious figures of the lot as it read 4/106 at the end of the innings.
There was a significant bit of rain delay in the center and that allowed Sri Lanka to bat for three overs before stumps was called.
However, those 18 balls looked like a perilous nightmare that left Sri Lanka reeling at the end of the second day.
Krishna got rid of Lahiru Udara (1) early in the innings and Manav Suthar got rid of the night watchman, Prabath Jayasuriya (2) on the last ball of the day. The hosts concluded the day at 8/2 as India led by 495 runs.
Brief scores:
India – 503/9 (Devdutt Padikkal – 117, Dhruv Jurel – 115*, Asitha Fernando – 4/106)
Sri Lanka – 8/2 (Kamil Mishara – 5*, Prasidh Krishna – 1/1)
Sri Lanka trail by 495 runs
