A resolute century by Rahul Dravid and the bowling of Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar put India in a strong position for victory in the first Test against West Indies.
Dravid made 112 – his 32nd Test century – as the Indians were bowled out for 252 in their second-innings setting the hosts 326 for victory.
“It was a big match, and I was fired up, I felt as if I was in my space,” said Dravid.
“Hopefully, we can win it.”
Sharma and Kumar then put the brakes on West Indies, removing the hosts’ top order, as they reached 131 for three at stumps.
Bowler’s strike
Kumar made the breakthrough, when he had Adrian Barath caught at third slip for 38.
Next over, Sharma condemned Ramnaresh Sarwan to another failure, when he was dismissed for a duck.
Sharma was rewarded again when he bowled Lendl Simmons for 27.
The visitors probed away, but Darren Bravo (30*) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (24*), put on an unbroken 51 for the fourth wicket.
Dravid’s clinical knock
Earlier, Dravid was a pillar of defiance, batting in typically dogged fashion.
“It was tough,” he said. “I came here three days ago. The jet lag and having not played a Test for a long time, and playing in these hot conditions has been very tiring.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2011.
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