Dhruv Jurel marked his second Test century in style in Colombo, pulling up his sleeve to reveal a “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisaan” tattoo on his left bicep after surviving a dramatic run-out chance. The India wicketkeeper-batter had spent 22 deliveries on 99 before finally getting over the line, with Mohammed Siraj rushing across to embrace him after the missed direct hit handed Jurel his hundred.
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Day 2: Updates
Jurel punched the air, removed his helmet and soaked in the applause before showing off the tattoo. At the other end, Siraj was waiting. India were eight wickets down, but the fast bowler had hung in with Jurel, blocking and defending as his partner moved closer to the landmark. The two then shared a big hug, with Siraj among the first to congratulate Jurel.
Jurel completed his second Test century in dramatic fashion, surviving a close run-out chance when he was on 99. Asitha Fernando bowled full around off and Jurel drove hard towards mid-off before calling for a quick single. The ball bounced awkwardly off the pitch, giving Jurel a chance to steal the run, but the fielder reacted quickly, swooped in and threw at the stumps. Jurel needed a full-length dive to make his ground, but the direct hit never came, allowing him to reach his second Test hundred.
Soon after, Jurel took his score to 115 off 177 balls as India crossed 500, reaching 503 for 9 before declaring. Jurel was unbeaten at the declaration, having become the second centurion of India’s innings. India will be pleased to have crossed the 500-run mark and have given themselves around an hour to bowl at Sri Lanka today.
It was the biggest moment of a fine lower-order effort from the 24-year-old, who walked in with India at 296/5 late on the opening day. He saw off a few deliveries before returning on Day 2 and settled into his innings. Jurel was largely assured through the innings, with his only real anxious moment coming when Prabath Jayasuriya beat his bat with an arm ball and appealed for lbw. The appeal was turned down and Jurel continued.
He then put together an important partnership with Rishabh Pant, adding 112 runs with the India wicketkeeper, who made 63. The stand took India beyond 400 before Jurel continued to work with the lower order and pushed the team’s total past 460. The century was not Jurel’s first significant contribution of the series. He had made a match-winning 51 off 68 balls in India’s victory in the first Test, and his hundred in Colombo now gives him back-to-back 50-plus scores in the series.
Jurel’s second Test century has taken him beyond 600 runs in the format, at an average of more than 35, from 12 Tests. His maiden Test hundred came against West Indies last year, and he also has two fifties to his name.
Interestingly, both of Jurel’s 50-plus scores in away Tests have come in this series. The hundred also put Jurel in an exclusive list. He became only the second Indian batter to score a Test century from No. 7 or lower in Sri Lanka, after Hardik Pandya, who made 108 at Pallekele in 2017.
– Ends
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