Time seemingly paused as Dhruv Jurel batted on 99. With Mohammed Siraj for company, and an anxious Indian camp watching from the dressing room, Jurel took 13 deliveries to move to his coveted hundred while surviving a run out attempt too in the process. His knock deflated host Sri Lanka in the second Test.

Speaking to the media in Colombo on Monday (August 24, 2026) and recalling that nervous-nineties phase, Jurel said: “So actually, when I was on 99, before that I was getting runs, and on 99, he (Asitha Fernando) started bowling good lengths. When I played that shot (for the hundred), thought it was going past the fielder, that there was a gap, and then I was like oh God!”

On a stop-start day due to the rains, Jurel seemed at ease, and he explained: “I am used to it because I was here with India A and am aware of the situation, about the (rain) breaks. I was just trying to bat in partnerships and also assess the conditions. Even if I scored a 100 today, tomorrow I will go and start from zero, that’s how it is.”

When Sri Lanka turned up for the first innings, Jurel donned the wicket-keeping gloves. Clarifying that move, he said: “Right now, (Rishabh) Pant has a sore right shoulder. We are closely monitoring him. Today I kept wickets, hopefully he will be fit.”

Among the rivals, Jurel lauded Asitha: “It was so hot and he used the short ball. It’s not easy for a bowler, and he was really challenging, especially when I was on 99.” Stressing that playing red-ball cricket is important, Jurel said: “Playing Test cricket is a privilege. We want to play well both in white and in blue.”

Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lankan seamer Asitha Fernando were both fined 25% of their match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second Test.

The two were caught up in a heated exchange at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Sunday (August 23, 2026) morning after Jaiswal was dismissed by Asitha. Words were exchanged; both stood too close and faced each other before other players pulled them away. Even as the two team-managements downplayed the incident, the ICC stepped in and imposed the punishment.

In a statement, the ICC stated: “Both players were found to have breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to ‘inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person. In addition to this (the fine), one demerit point each has been added to the disciplinary records of (Asitha) Fernando and Jaiswal. Both players admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Andy Pycroft (match-referee).”

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant retired hurt after being hit on his left arm on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka on Sunday (August 23, 2026).

During the third session of the day, Sri Lanka seamer Lahiru Kumara attacked Pant with a short ball, which the Indian batter attempted to pull it behind the square.

However, Pant could not connect and the ball crashed onto his left arm. He was seen grimacing in pain after copping the blow. He was attended by the Indian team physiotherapist.

An ice pack was applied on Pant’s hand before taping it up, but soon it was taken off as the wicketkeeper-batter was visibly in pain.

Eventually, Pant, who made three off 15 balls, walked off the pitch with the physiotherapist in the 58th over of the innings.

Ravindra Jadeja came into the middle and joined Devdutt Padikkal.

In his prime as an opener, Gautam Gambhir loved the scent of a battle and drew inspiration from it. The same combative streak lingers in his second avatar as the coach.

Speaking to the media at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground here on Saturday (August 22), Gambhir was asked about criticism. The former India star was quick with his riposte: “I am here to win trophies!” Later, he added: “People in the press-box and commentators know that we are going through transition.”

Looking ahead to the second Test commencing on Sunday, Gambhir said: “Even if you score 1,000 runs, you still have to get 20 wickets; that’s how you win matches. So be it three left-arm spinners or an off-spinner or three seamers, we will take a call on what is the best team suited for this surface, it is about the team and the results.”

Praise for Padikkal, Suthar

Praising Devdutt Padikkal and Manav Suthar for their success in the first Test, Gambhir said: “It is encouraging to see them step up and perform straight away but then again we should not judge on just one or two performances. There will be ups and downs and we all know cricket is tough.”

The coach did not reveal if there would be a swap between Kuldeep Yadav and Saransh Jain, but he did tell about his chats with the former: “I want Kuldeep to just try and bowl good spells rather than looking desperate to take a wicket.”

Refusing to be drawn into a discussion over India’s chances in the ICC World Test Championship, Gambhir said the immediate focus is on the second Test. And as for players breaking down with injuries, he said: “We had a discussion; we want our best players to play as much cricket as possible.”

Three-Test series format ‘ideal’

Earlier, Gambhir backed the three-Test series format, terming it as ideal.

“A three-Test series gives a chance to a team that has lost the first Test to make a comeback and win the series.”

“You cannot do that in a two-Test series as the team that lost the first Test, at best, can only draw the series. Remember, it happened with India once after losing the first Test against Australia, the team could still make a comeback.”

Indian national coach Gautam Gambhir has backed the three-Test series format, terming it as ideal.

Speaking to the media at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground here on Saturday (August 22, 2026), Gambhir said: “A three-Test series gives a chance to a team that has lost the first Test to make a comeback and win the series.

“You cannot do that in a two-Test series as the team that lost the first Test, at best, can only draw the series. Remember, it happened with India once after losing the first Test against Australia, the team could still make a comeback.”

The team is training ahead of the upcoming second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

The second Test of the two-match series will begin on August 23 at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo, with India leading 1-0 after a comprehensive 165-run victory in the opening Test at the Galle International Stadium.

(With inputs by agencies)

Surrounded by expansive trees and skyscrapers, the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground was like a sauna on Friday (August 21, 2026). A maximum of 30 degrees Celsius belied the actual heat felt on the premises, and in this cauldron, the Indian team practised as part of the build-up towards the second Test commencing on Sunday (August 23).

K.L. Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav skipped the pre-game drills, and spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule clarified that the duo were resting. The others did their batting and bowling stints while coach Gautam Gambhir and chief-selector Ajit Agarkar watched. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill constituted the first quartet that batted.

Gill freed his arms and unleashed big shots while the warning ‘watch out’ rang aloud through the ground. Later, the skipper had a chat with Gambhir while Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan and others batted. Off-spinner Saransh Jain turned his arm over and it remains to be seen if he will come into contention against a left-hander heavy Sri Lankan batting.

Bowling coach Morne Morkel, always busy at nets, ran in and bowled too. He had mentioned about coping with the heat in Galle, guess the same challenge awaits his wards in the Sri Lankan capital.