COLOMBO (Reuters): Dhruv Jurel's unbeaten 115 powered India to a commanding 503-9 before they declared late on day two of the second and final test against Sri Lanka on Monday (Aug 24).
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 eight for two, still 495 runs behind.
India took control after a resilient lower-order batting display led by Jurel's second Test hundred, an innings studded with nine fours and two sixes.
India had resumed at 300-5 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 fifty 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 -- tapping Fernando to mid-off and diving home as a direct hit would have dismissed him. Rising to his feet, he dusted himself off and embraced his partner Mohammed Siraj.
Liberated by the milestone, Jurel launched Fernando for six over long-on and, in the seamer's next over, pulled another into the stands.
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% of their match fees and received one demerit point each for their on-field altercation on Sunday.
(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; editing by Ed Osmond) - Reuters
