Pant, Jurel guide India to 419-6 at lunch on Day 2 of the 2nd cricket test against Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Rishabh Pant and Druv Jurel scored half-centuries and shared an unbeaten 112-run partnership for the seventh wicket as India reached 419 for six at lunch on Day 2 of the second cricket test against Sri Lanka.

India resumed Monday at 300-5 and lost their sixth wicket with just seven runs added to the overnight total. Saransh Jain, who played his maiden test innings, was out for six caught by Kamil Mishara as he tried to fend off a bouncer from fast bowler Asitha Fernando.

Pant, who had returned to bat late Sunday after being hit by a Lahiru Kumara delivery, remained not out on 63 at the interval and Jurel was unbeaten on 59.

Pant faced 88 deliveries and hit two sixes and six boundaries for his 21 test fifty, while Jurel scored his third facing 107 deliveries and including five boundaries.

Fernando had the best bowling figures for Sri Lanka with 4-46 as Kumara and spinner Keshara Nuwantha picked up a wicket each.

On Day 1, Devdutt Padikkal scored his second test century and shared two crucial partnerships to help India lay a strong platform.

Continuing his top form from the first match, when he scored 167 runs in the first innings to set up a big win, Padikkal made 117 off 193 deliveries. He spent nearly five hours at the crease and hit 12 boundaries.

India leads the two-match series after defeating Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first test at Galle.

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