SL vs IND: Padikkal, Jurel steer India into dominant position on rain-marred Day 2
India and Sri Lanka produced some fantastic cricket action on a rain-marred day in Galle on Sunday, August 16. Consistent rain delayed the start of the match by 5 hours, but once the match got underway, both teams produced quality cricket in the limited time…
India and Sri Lanka produced some fantastic cricket action on a rain-marred day in Galle on Sunday, August 16. Consistent rain delayed the start of the match by 5 hours, but once the match got underway, both teams produced quality cricket in the limited.
Having conceded 288 runs on Day 1 of the Test match, the Sri Lankan spinners corrected their lengths and kept the Indian batters in check for the majority of the day. But two remained defiant - Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel - ensuring that.
What Happened
Rains of varying intensity and the resultant wet outfield delayed the start of the day's play until 2:35 pm. The long break and the damp pitch appeared to have rejuvenated the Sri Lankan bowlers, who returned with better lines and lengths than.
At stumps, Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna remained unbeaten at 12 and 1 respectively, frustrating the Sri Lanka bowlers.
But despite the wickets, Sri Lanka were not able to bowl out India at the end of Day 2.
However, the ploy was unsuccessful, as India lost two more wickets within the 4 overs of Jurel's dismissal.
Key Details
India had resumed from a strong position at 288 for 2 but Sri Lanka made quick inroads after the restart. The India wicketkeeper-batter, who had resumed from an overnight score of 27, looked edgy in the middle, especially against off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha.
Mohammed Siraj was promoted ahead of Kuldeep Yadav, in the hopes that he could slam some big shots.
Jurel's wicket prompted India to target the Sri Lanka spinners and get some quick runs late in the day.
Batting on 29, Jurel's mistimed cut went straight towards Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva, but the skipper could not hold on to the chance.
Why It Matters
Sri Lanka were not afraid to give the ball some air and an impatient Pant eventually fell into the trap. Two important wickets for just 12 runs put Sri Lanka back in the contest, but they could not fluster Padikkal.
Luck played its part in Jurel's innings as well.
Jurel played his shots and scored quickly, bringing up a brisk half-century off 68 balls.
What Reports Say
Coverage of the story so far points to:
Continued reporting by India Today as more details emerge
