25 Aug 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : India strengthened their grip on the second Test against Sri Lanka as Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant produced an aggressive partnership on a rain-hit Day 2 in Colombo.
Jurel remained unbeaten on 115, while Pant smashed 63, helping India declare at 503/9 before the bowlers reduced Sri Lanka to 8/2 at stumps.
Pant and Jurel Change the Momentum
India resumed Day 2 at 300/5 and suffered an early setback when debutant Saransh Jain was dismissed for six.
Pant then joined Jurel and immediately changed the tempo. The pair attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers and added 112 runs for the seventh wicket, taking India comfortably beyond the 400-run mark.
Pant’s Entertaining 63
Pant played his trademark attacking cricket despite taking a blow to his right shoulder from a short delivery.
He eventually fell for 63 off 89 balls, having hit six fours and two sixes. His dismissal after lunch briefly gave Sri Lanka hope, but Jurel continued to control the innings.
Jurel Completes Gritty Century
Jurel’s innings became the highlight of the day.
The wicketkeeper-batter was stranded on 99 for 12 deliveries, with rain also interrupting his progress when he was on 95. He eventually completed his second Test century with a risky single and finished unbeaten on 115 off 177 balls, including nine fours and two sixes.
It was also Jurel’s first Test century overseas, making the achievement even more significant.
Rain Interrupts India’s Charge
Rain repeatedly disrupted play, shortening the available time and forcing an early tea.
Despite the interruptions, India’s lower order helped Jurel push the score past 500. After reaching 503/9, India declared their first innings and immediately turned their attention to Sri Lanka’s top order.
India Strike Twice Before Stumps
India’s bowlers made the declaration even more effective.
Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar struck early, removing Lahiru Udara and Prabath Jayasuriya as Sri Lanka slipped to 8/2.
The hosts ended the rain-affected day 495 runs behind India, with eight wickets still in hand.
Jurel Takes Over Wicketkeeping Duties
Pant did not take the field when India began bowling late in the day because of his shoulder problem.
Jurel took over the wicketkeeping duties, with the team monitoring Pant’s condition. Jurel later said the physio was keeping an eye on the injury and expressed hope that Pant would recover quickly.
India Firmly in Control
With a massive first-innings total and two early Sri Lankan wickets, India ended Day 2 in a commanding position.
Jurel’s composure, Pant’s counter-attacking innings and the bowlers’ late strikes combined to make it a highly productive day for the visitors despite the interruptions caused by rain.
India had already taken a 1-0 lead in the series, after winning the opening Test in Galle by 165 runs.