Jurel scores second Test century, dedicates it to soldier father and farmer grandfather

Dhruv Jurel scored an unbeaten 115 off 177 balls on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, helping India declare at 503 for 9. The wicketkeeper-batter, who came in at number seven, built a 112-run partnership with Rishabh Pant and then anchored the lower order. Rediff.com reports that Jurel attributed his disciplined batting to 'Mamba Mentality', the philosophy of the late basketball star Kobe Bryant, and said he focused on his own strengths rather than trying to copy Pant's aggressive style.

After reaching his hundred, Jurel saluted and displayed a 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' tattoo on his biceps. 'My grandfather was a farmer, and my father was a soldier. So, those are my roots, and I don't want to forget them,' he said at the press conference, as reported by Rediff.com. Nationalheraldindia.com notes the innings reinforces Jurel's claim to a lower-order spot as India chase a World Test Championship final berth. Jurel also gave an update on Pant, who did not keep wickets after taking a blow to his right shoulder, and praised Mohammad Siraj for blocking 29 balls to help him reach the century.