Pant, Jurel guide India to 419-6 at lunch on Day 2 of the 2nd cricket test against Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Dhruv Jurel's unbeaten 115 guided India to a commanding 503-9 declared at lunch on day two of the second cricket test against Sri Lanka. The partnership between Jurel and Rishabh Pant produced a 112-run stand to reach lunch. India had already established a strong position at 300-5 after Devdutt Padikkal's century.

Rishabh Pant, who was hit on the forearm by Lahiru Kumara and returned to the crease after retiring hurt, soon became the center of attention when he was out first ball after lunch at 419-7 while attempting to hit off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha. Jurel, at 48, demonstrated his experience by dominating the remainder of the day's play, reaching a fifty in 97 balls and closing in on his second test century at 95 when rain intervened.

He ultimately reached a ton with a risky single to mid-off. After a nearly two-hour delay, after resuming, Jurel scored his hundred off 171 balls and celebrated with a six over long-on. Jurel was in the crease for nearly five hours, facing 177 deliveries and hitting two sixes and nine boundaries. Sri Lanka's reply commenced poorly with Krishna nicking off opener Lahiru Udara and spinner Manav Suthar pinning nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya.

With only 58 overs available for play that day, India now leads the two-match series after defeating Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first test at Galle.