India, Aug. 24 -- With India resuming at 300/5, the game was still very much in the balance at the start of the second day's play in the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Monday. There was also doubt over Rishabh Pant's fitness after fast bowler Lahiru Kumara had struck him on the wrist overnight.

Sri Lanka could sense the visitors were vulnerable, and a couple of early breakthroughs would help them cut through the lower order.

Dhruv Jurel and Pant, however, rose to the occasion admirably, successfully thwarting the home team's spirited bid and taking India to a position of strength with a thrilling 112-run seventh-wicket partnership. Powered by Jurel's flawless unbeaten 117 (9x4, 2x6) and Pant's enterprising 63 (6x4, 2...