India wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel revealed that the visitors had a clear plan to score quickly but sensibly on the rain-affected second day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. India eventually ended the day at 460/9, with Kuldeep Yadav unbeaten on 12 and Prasidh Krishna on 1.

Jurel’s fifty helps India cross 450

Jurel walked in after India had already lost KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant but played an attacking knock to keep the momentum going. The right-hander struck 51 off 68 deliveries, including four fours and a six. He added a crucial 55-run partnership with Manav Suthar, helping India cross the 400-run mark.

“There was a plan to score runs briskly, but sensibly. We weren’t looking to go bonkers from ball one, but there was a plan,” Jurel said during the post-match press conference.

The India batter also revealed that his previous experience of playing in Sri Lanka with India A helped him understand the conditions and approach the innings with confidence.

“I know conditions here, having played for India A here. I was under no pressure, it’s a privilege to play for India,” Jurel added.

Jurel was given a reprieve on 29 when Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva dropped a difficult chance at first slip. However, the captain later made amends by taking a spectacular catch to dismiss Jurel off Prabath Jayasuriya.

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Padikkal leads India’s dominant batting display

The standout performer for India was Devdutt Padikkal, who continued his sensational form from Day 1 to score a magnificent 167 off 230 balls. Padikkal’s innings included 15 fours and a six, and he became only the third Indian batter to score 150 or more against Sri Lanka from the No. 3 position, joining Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara.

Jurel was full of praise for his teammate and pointed out that Padikkal has consistently delivered whenever opportunities have come his way.

“Devdutt scores whenever he gets a chance,” Dhruv Jurel said.

Padikkal’s dismissal eventually triggered another phase of Sri Lankan pressure, with Prabath Jayasuriya finishing with 4/109 and Keshara Nuwantha taking 3/175.

Jurel says India need 20 wickets

Despite India’s imposing total, Jurel knows the job is far from finished. The wicketkeeper-batter stressed that India’s bowlers will need to maintain discipline and be prepared for long spells when Sri Lanka begin their first innings.

“We need to bowl long spells here and be consistent with lengths. We need to take 20 wickets,” he said.

The second day was heavily disrupted by rain, with the morning session completely washed out before play finally resumed at 2:35 PM local time. India began the day at 288/2 and lost seven wickets for 172 runs, but still managed to build a formidable first-innings total. KL Rahul scored 82 after returning to the crease following cramps on Day 1, while Rishabh Pant made 39 and Ravindra Jadeja contributed 13.