Dhruv Jurel unbeaten century puts India in control against Sri Lanka on Day 2

After a productive day in Colombo, India took control of the second Test against Sri Lanka and led by 495 runs when they went to Stumps on Day 2. India declared at 503/9 after Dhruv Jurel's second Test century, but the hosts lost an opener and a nightwatchman in the waning light.

Earlier on the second day, it took Sri Lanka less than two overs to strike as Asitha Fernando used the bouncer to good effect to get rid of Saransh Jain. Rishabh Pant was declared fit to bat, so that wicket sent him back to the middle. This time, he used a bouncer to send a message over the fine leg fence, and his 95-meter six landing crushed a solar panel.

Pant continued to make merry as he next targeted Keshara Nuwantha for back-to-back boundaries and overtake Jurel. In just four deliveries, the two batters maintained their steady pace and reached their respective half-centuries, pushing India's total past 400. When Pant took on Prabath Jayasuriya for four and six off consecutive deliveries just before the lunch break, Sri Lanka were put under pressure. The break in momentum helped the hosts big time as they struck first ball after Lunch with Pant finding the fielder in his attempt to go big again.

While Jurel took over scoring duties, Manav Suthar kept Sri Lanka at bay by playing the ideal foil at the other end. After hanging on for 50 deliveries, Suthar was sent back to the pavilion by Jayasuriya, who finally opened his wickets column after a hard toil. The players then had to take Tea early as a result of rain that prevented play for almost two hours.

Once play resumed, Jurel endured a nervous time in the nineties before finally reaching his ton. After going past three figures, Jurel broke free to smash a couple of sixes that helped India push their total beyond 500 that brought out the declaration. Just two balls into Sri Lanka's reply, rain returned again before clearing in time for play to resume at 5:35 PM local time much to the annoyance of the hosts. To add to their frustration, the home side ended up losing two wickets over the next 16 deliveries. Prasidh Krishna got one to straighten after pitching to take Lahiru Udara's outside edge that was pouched by a diving Yashasvi Jaiswal at third slip, before Suthar struck lbw to dismiss nightwatchman Jayasuriya.