1 week ago
Pujara Predicts India Innings Win Against Sri Lanka
India scored 503 runs before ending their first turn at bat.
Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel both scored centuries.
Jurel made 115 runs without being dismissed.
Sri Lanka then lost two batters for only eight runs.
Former India player Cheteshwar Pujara thinks India are in a very strong position.
He said India could win by an innings if its bowlers perform well on the third day.
An innings win means one team wins before the other team gets to bat again.
Pujara also said Jurel has the skills to become a consistent Test player.
India declared their first innings at 503/9 after centuries from Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel.
Sri Lanka lost two wickets for eight runs in three overs late on the rain-hit second day.
Cheteshwar Pujara predicted India could win by an innings if they bowl well on Day 3.
Pujara said India are unlikely to lose after scoring more than 500 runs in the first innings.
He praised Dhruv Jurel’s technique, footwork and shot selection following the wicketkeeper-batter’s unbeaten 115.
- Who
- India, Sri Lanka and former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara, who made the prediction.
- What
- India declared at 503/9 and then reduced Sri Lanka to two wickets for eight runs; Pujara predicted a possible innings victory for India.
- Where
- Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- When
- The second Test’s third day was scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 2026, after India’s declaration on Monday, August 24.
- Why
- Pujara said India could win by an innings if they bowl well on Day 3 after building a first-innings total above 500.
Key facts
- Match
- Second Test between India and Sri Lanka
- Venue
- Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
- India declaration
- 503/9
- Sri Lanka position
- Two wickets down for eight runs
- Dhruv Jurel’s score
- 115 not out
- Prediction
- India could win by an innings if they bowl well on Day 3
- Jurel’s Test record cited
- 651 runs in 19 innings across 12 Tests
Quotes
Cheteshwar Pujara
Former India batter and cricket expert
“His technique, his footwork, his clarity in the shots which he plays. He looks like a complete (Test) player. There are enough shots that he plays and, with the kind of technique he has, he can be very consistent in the Test format.”
news18.com
“India have batted Sri Lanka out of the second Test because when you put 500 on the board, one thing is pretty sure: India are not going to lose this game, and this is more than enough to win a game.”
news18.com
Sources
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