India A tightened their grip on the first unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A on the second day at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Colombo, thanks to a masterful unbeaten century from captain Dhruv Jurel.

Jurel's Masterclass Guides India A

The Indian captain, who resumed on his overnight score of 68 not out, converted it into a match-defining 141 runs from 215 balls, striking 13 fours and one six. His patient yet aggressive innings provided the foundation for India A to declare their first innings at 452 for six, taking a commanding 339-run lead over the hosts.

"It's always special to score a century, especially in a Test match situation. The team needed a big innings, and I'm happy that I could deliver," Jurel said after the day's play.

Supporting Acts from Indian Batters

Shaik Rasheed, who had resumed on 53 not out, added 10 more runs before being dismissed for 63 off 113 balls, an innings that included five fours. Chamika Gunasekara was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, picking up two wickets.

Jurel then shared an 86-run partnership for the sixth wicket with all-rounder Harsh Dubey, who contributed 30 off 51 balls with two fours and a six before being caught.

Sri Lanka A Fight Back

India A made early inroads with the ball, with pacer Anshul Kamboj dismissing wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella for 10, caught by Shaik Rasheed. Yash Thakur then bowled Pawantha Weerasinghe for 11, reducing Sri Lanka A to 38 for two.

However, Nuwanidu Fernando and Ashen Bandara steadied the ship with an unbeaten 75-run partnership for the third wicket. Fernando remained unbeaten on 65 from 103 balls, hitting seven fours, while Bandara was 18 not out at stumps.

"We have a lot of work to do in the second innings. The pitch is becoming easier to bat on, and we need to bat long," Fernando said.

India A in Complete Control

With Sri Lanka A still needing 339 runs to avoid the follow-on and with just eight wickets in hand, India A finished day 2 in complete control of the match. The visitors will look to wrap up the Sri Lankan first innings early on day 3 and enforce the follow-on.

Earlier on day 1, Sai Sudharsan had scored 132 to lay the foundation for India A's strong position, with other contributors including Aayush Pandey (25), Devdutt Padikkal (12), and Ruturaj Gaikwad (22).