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Time seemed to stand still as Dhruv Jurel inched towards his maiden Test hundred. Stranded on 99 with only Mohammed Siraj for company, the young wicketkeeper-batter endured 13 nail-biting deliveries and even survived a run-out scare before finally reaching the coveted three-figure mark. His composed knock not only deflated the hosts but also put India in a commanding position in the second Test against Sri Lanka.

Speaking to the media in Colombo on Monday, Jurel opened up about that tense phase. "When I was on 99, before that I was getting runs comfortably. But then Asitha Fernando started bowling really good lengths. When I played that shot for the hundred, I thought it was going past the fielder, that there was a gap, and then I was like, oh God!" he recalled with a smile.

The day was punctuated by rain interruptions, but Jurel remained unfazed. "I am used to it because I was here with India A and am aware of the situation, about the 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," he said, reflecting his grounded approach.

When Sri Lanka batted, Jurel took over the wicket-keeping duties, and he clarified the reason behind that decision. "Right now, Rishabh Pant has a sore right shoulder. We are closely monitoring him. Today I kept wickets; hopefully he will be fit," Jurel explained.

He also reserved special praise for Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando, who tested him during that nerve-wracking 99. "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," Jurel admitted.

Above all, Jurel emphasized the significance of the longest format. "Playing Test cricket is a privilege. We want to play well both in white and in blue," he said, underlining his commitment to red-ball cricket despite the growing allure of limited-overs formats. His hundred was more than just a personal milestone it was a statement of intent from a young man who understands that Test cricket demands patience, grit, and above all, respect for the gam