Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Dhruv Jurel’s unbeaten 115 powered India to a commanding first innings 9-503 before they declared late on day two of the second and final Test against Sri Lanka.
Rain and bad light meant India could bowl only three overs, which proved enough to prise out Lahiru Udara and nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya and restrict Sri Lanka to 2-8 at the close of play on Monday, still 495 runs behind.
India took control after a resilient lower-order batting display led by No.7 Jurel’s second Test hundred, an innings studded with nine fours and two sixes.
The tourists had resumed at 5-300 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, with Rishabh Pant due back after retiring hurt on Sunday following a forearm blow.
Seamer Asitha Fernando (4-106) struck in the second over, removing Saransh Jain for six, but the collapse Sri Lanka craved never materialised.
Pant joined Jurel to add 112 for the seventh wicket and tighten India’s grip.
Bruised but undeterred, Pant reached a combative half century before lunch and departed soon after for 63, stepping out to Nuwantha Keshara and miscuing to long-off.
Manav Suthar fell soon after, yet Jurel held firm as India’s advantage swelled until rain again forced the players from the field.
Jurel lingered on 99 before completing his century with a risky single.
Later, India struck with the ball when Yashasvi Jaiswal flew to his right at third slip to take a catch and dismiss Udara.
The deteriorating light forced India to introduce spin, and Suthar struck in his first over by trapping Jayasuriya lbw.
Jaiswal and Sri Lanka’s Fernando were fined 25 per cent of their match fees and received one demerit point each for an on-field altercation on Sunday.
