An unflappable Dhruv Jurel allayed concerns surrounding his form with a remarkably composed unbeaten 115 before bowlers struck early blows to give India command of the second Test against Sri Lanka on a rain-hit second day on Monday. Jurel’s second Test hundred powered India to a hefty 503 for nine declared in their first innings, and Sri Lanka were reduced to 8 for two at close after pacer Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar gave marching orders to Lahiru Udara and Prabath Jayasuriya respectively.
The inclusion of Sarfaraz Khan as an injury replacement for Sai Sudharsan might have also contained a little clue for Jurel to buckle up and score runs, and aced that challenge in flying colours.
It left the burden right on the shoulders of Jurel, a 12-Test-old batter. But he showed the knowhow of a veteran batter to tame a delicate situation — for him and the team.
