Padikkal and Jurel Centuries Put India in Command After Two Days of 2nd test in Colombo

 

Colombo, August 24, 2026: India produced two commanding days of Test cricket to seize a massive advantage over Sri Lanka in the second and final Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club. After winning the opening Test in Galle by 165 runs, India strengthened their grip on the series by piling up 503/9 declared and reducing Sri Lanka to 8/2 by the close of the rain-affected second day. Sri Lanka therefore face a daunting 495-run deficit with only eight wickets remaining in their first innings.

Day 1 — Padikkal's Gritty Hundred Anchors India

Captain Shubman Gill's decision to bat first initially brought mixed fortunes. Yashasvi Jaiswal made an attractive 45 from 53 balls, striking nine boundaries, before Asitha Fernando produced a fine delivery to breach his defence. KL Rahul contributed 18, but India's early setbacks left them 66/2.

The day's outstanding performer was Devdutt Padikkal, who followed his magnificent 167 in Galle with another superb century. The left-hander compiled a patient, determined 117 from 193 balls, his second successive Test hundred. His latest effort took his tally to 328 runs in three innings in the series at an extraordinary average of 109.33, underlining his remarkable consistency at No. 3.

Padikkal received excellent support from Gill, who scored a composed 50. Their third-wicket partnership of 120 runs steadied India after the early dismissals. Gill's half-century was also significant because he reached 3,000 Test runs in his 43rd match.

India were briefly rattled when Rishabh Pant retired hurt on 3 after being struck on the forearm by Lahiru Kumara. Padikkal, however, continued to display admirable patience and discipline. He added 74 runs with Ravindra Jadeja, who made a valuable 43, as India recovered from the setback.

Sri Lanka's best bowler was the impressive Asitha Fernando, who finished the day with 3/46 from 16 overs, repeatedly extracting movement from the lively SSC surface. Lahiru Kumara also troubled India's batters with pace and short-pitched bowling. At stumps, India had reached a strong 300/5, with the hosts having failed to break the visitors' increasingly firm grip.

The opening day was not without controversy. Jaiswal and Fernando were involved in a heated on-field confrontation following the opener's dismissal, an incident that later resulted in both players being fined 25% of their match fees and receiving one demerit point.

Day 2 — Jurel's Magnificent Hundred Takes India Past 500

India resumed at 300/5, and Sri Lanka initially made a breakthrough when debutant Saransh Jain fell for 6, leaving India 307/6. But what followed was a commanding counter-attack from Pant and Dhruv Jurel.

Pant, returning after his injury scare, showed remarkable courage against a barrage of short balls. He struck a determined 63, reaching his fifty from 81 deliveries. Jurel, meanwhile, batted with exemplary composure. The pair added a crucial 112 runs for the seventh wicket, carrying India from 307/6 to 419.

After Pant's dismissal, Jurel continued his majestic march towards three figures. He subsequently added 54 with Manav Suthar, who scored 18, before carrying India beyond the 475 mark. Rain repeatedly interrupted proceedings, but Jurel remained unflustered.

The wicketkeeper-batter eventually completed a memorable 115 not out from 177 balls, featuring nine boundaries. It was his second Test century, and his innings was characterised by calculated strokeplay, excellent judgement and remarkable patience. India declared at 503/9, having transformed an already strong overnight position into an imposing first-innings total.

Sri Lanka's bowlers were led by Fernando, who eventually finished with 4/78, while Keshara Nuwantha claimed 2/154. The hosts, however, could not prevent India's lower order from extending the total beyond the formidable 500-run barrier.

Sri Lanka's Nightmare Start

India's bowlers then needed only three overs to inflict further damage. Prasidh Krishna dismissed Lahiru Udara courtesy a brilliant flying slip catch by Yashasvi Jaiswal, while Manav Suthar removed Prabath Jayasuriya, lbw leaving Sri Lanka staggering at 8/2 at stumps. Kamil Mishara was unbeaten on 5. The hosts trail by 495 runs, an enormous deficit after barely getting started.

Rain curtailed the day's proceedings, but the limited play was devastatingly productive for India. The visitors had not only amassed a commanding 503/9 declared but had also exposed Sri Lanka's top order to early pressure.

India Firmly in the Driving Seat

After two days, the match belongs emphatically to India. Padikkal's second consecutive century, Jurel's unbeaten 115, Pant's resilient 63 and the team's imposing 503-run declaration have placed Sri Lanka under enormous pressure. With the hosts already two wickets down for just eight runs, India's disciplined bowling attack now has an opportunity to force the match into a decisive phase.

India's batting has supplied the weight, its lower order has delivered the punch, and its bowlers have already landed two telling blows. Unless Sri Lanka can produce a remarkable fightback on the third day, India appear exceptionally well placed to take a 2-0 series lead.