Colombo [Sri Lanka], August 24 (ANI): Indian batter Dhruv Jurel etched his name in the record books on Monday, becoming only the second Indian batter to score a Test century at No. 7 or lower in Sri Lanka, after Hardik Pandya.
Jurel remained unbeaten on 115 as India declared at 503/9 on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the SSC Ground in Colombo, putting the visitors firmly in command.
Jurel reached his second Test century in 171 balls, hitting nine fours. He showed patience in reaching the landmark, playing out 13 dot balls between 99 and 100, before celebrating with a six off Asitha Fernando after completing his century.
The 25-year-old then continued his aggressive approach, hitting another six off Asitha as India crossed the 500-run mark. He remained unbeaten alongside Prasidh Krishna, who was on four, when India declared.
Jurel's century made him the second Indian batter after Pandya to score a Test hundred from No. 7 or lower in Sri Lanka. Pandya had scored 108 at Pallekele in 2017.
The last Indian batter to score a Test century from No. 7 or lower was Nitish Kumar Reddy, who made 114 against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in December 2024.
Jurel's hundred was also the culmination of a crucial partnership with Rishabh Pant on the second morning. The pair added 112 runs off 152 balls for the seventh wicket, helping India recover strongly and take control of the match.
Pant was dismissed for 63 off 89 balls early in the second session, but Jurel continued to anchor India's lower order. He then added 39 runs with Manav Suthar, who made 18, before Prabath Jayasuriya dismissed the all-rounder.
Jurel eventually found an able partner in Mohammed Siraj, with the duo carrying India from 475/8 to 503/9 before the declaration.
Earlier, India had resumed the day at 300/5 after Devdutt Padikkal's 117 and captain Shubman Gill's composed half-century had helped the visitors recover from 66/2 on the opening day.
Sri Lanka's bowlers were led by Asitha Fernando, who finished with 4/106, while Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha took two wickets each.
Sri Lanka's reply began poorly, with Lahiru Udana falling for one after edging to Yashasvi Jaiswal at third slip. Manav Suthar then trapped Prabath LBW for two as the hosts slipped to 8/2.
Sri Lanka ended the day at 8/2, with debutant Kamil Mishara unbeaten on five, still trailing India by 495 runs.
For Jurel, the century continued his growing reputation as a reliable batter capable of making a substantial contribution lower down the order, while also underlining his value to India's Test setup. (ANI)
Dhruv Jurel joins Hardik Pandya in elite list with century at No. 7 in Sri Lanka
