Colombo [Sri Lanka], August 24 (ANI): Fluent half-centuries from Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel propelled India to a commanding 419/6 at lunch on Day 2 of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Monday.
The duo of Pant and Jurel added a crucial 112 runs off 151 balls for the seventh wicket, putting India firmly on top at lunch on Day 2.
This is only the second time India have recorded a century partnership for the seventh wicket or lower in a Test in Sri Lanka. The previous instance came in 2015, when Cheteshwar Pujara and Amit Mishra added 104 runs at the same venue.
This is the 11th instance of a team scoring 400-plus in the first innings of a Test at this venue. Of the previous 10 occasions, six resulted in victories, while the other four ended in draws.
India started Day 2 on 300/5 with Saransh Jain (4) and Dhruv Jurel (7) on the crease. Seamer Asitha Fernando provided Sri Lanka with their sixth wicket by dismissing Jain for six, putting pressure on India right at the start of Day 2.
Wicketkeeper/batter Rishabh Pant, who had retired hurt on Day 1, returned to the crease and joined Jurel in the middle.
With India six wickets down, the visitors seek a crucial partnership between Pant and Jurel to steady the innings and guide them towards a competitive total.
Pant and Jurel settled in well and looked largely in control. Sri Lanka's pacers tested Pant with a barrage of short-pitched deliveries, with the batter taking a couple of blows to the shoulder before the drinks break.
However, Pant showed good resilience, while Jurel has provided solid support as the pair forged a valuable partnership to steady India's innings, adding 47 runs till the drinks break.
Pant has also etched his name above legendary MS Dhoni in India's record books, becoming the country's highest run-scorer as a designated wicketkeeper in away or neutral Tests.
Jurel and Pant forged a crucial partnership to put six-down India firmly in control on Day 2. Both batters brought up their half-centuries, helping the visitors gain a commanding position and shift the momentum in their favour before lunch.
Earlier in the match, Devdutt Padikkal's magnificent century and a composed half-century from skipper Shubman Gill helped India overcome early setbacks and take control of the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Colombo SSC Ground on Sunday.
After opting to bat first, India were reduced to 66/2 in the morning session, but Padikkal and Gill stitched together a crucial 120-run partnership to steady the innings. Padikkal went on to score 117 off 193 balls, while Gill contributed with a fifty before India finished the day at 300/5 after 85 overs. (ANI)
Pant, Jurel's century stand propels India to 419/6 against Sri Lanka at Lunch on Day 2
