India strengthened their grip on the second Test against Sri Lanka with a dominant performance on Day 2 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo. Resuming from 300/5, the visitors’ lower order took the game away from the hosts as Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel produced a crucial partnership.
Jurel then remained unbeaten through a lengthy rain interruption before completing a memorable century and helping India cross the 500-run mark. Sri Lanka were given very little time to respond after India declared, with the hosts losing two wickets in just three overs before bad light brought an early end to the day.
Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel take India past 400
India began the morning with Pant and Jurel at the crease, and the wicketkeeper-batters immediately put Sri Lanka under pressure. Pant played with attacking intent, finding the boundaries regularly and keeping the scoreboard moving at a brisk rate. The pair added 112 runs for the seventh wicket, giving India complete control of the first session.
Pant eventually departed after scoring a quick 63, but Jurel continued to anchor the innings from the other end. The young wicketkeeper-batter then combined with Manav Suthar for another useful 39-run partnership. Their contribution helped India comfortably move beyond 400 and brought the visitors closer to a huge first-innings total.
Rain delays Jurel’s century before dramatic finish
Jurel’s wait for his century became one of the biggest talking points of the day. He was stranded on 95 when heavy rain interrupted play in Colombo, with the delay lasting nearly two hours. When play finally resumed, Jurel moved to 99 but was involved in a tense run-out opportunity before safely making his ground.
He soon completed his century and remained unbeaten on 115 off 177 balls, having struck nine fours and two sixes. With India crossing 500, captain Shubman Gill decided to declare at 503/9. Jurel’s unbeaten century ensured India had transformed their overnight position into a commanding total.
Sri Lanka lose two wickets before stumps
Sri Lanka’s response got off to a disastrous start as India needed only three overs to make an impact before bad light stopped play. Prasidh Krishna struck in the opening over, dismissing Lahiru Udara for just one run. Suthar then added to Sri Lanka’s problems by trapping nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya LBW for two.
Sri Lanka ended the day on 8/2, trailing India by 495 runs. The hosts now face an enormous challenge to avoid the follow-on, while India remain firmly in control after already taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Day 2, Stumps
Sri Lanka: 8/2, trail by 495 runs 🏏
– Prasidh Krishna & Manav Suthar gets one wicket each ✔#SLvIND pic.twitter.com/gw47TFn0xh
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) August 24, 2026
