India strengthened their chances of winning the second Test and the series despite the West Indies’ improved batting show after a first-innings collapse on the third day.
The West Indies, dismissed for 153 in their first-innings in reply to India’s mammoth 631 for seven declared, had to follow-on, but did better in their second-innings to reach 195 for three at stumps at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The tourists, who lost the first Test by five wickets in New Delhi, face a stiff task to save the match as they still trail by 283 runs with seven wickets in hand.
Darren Bravo was unbeaten on 38 with the help of three sixes and Shivnarine Chanderpaul on 21 not out.
Opener Adrian Barath (62) and Kirk Edwards (60) defied the Indian attack with a 93-run stand for the second wicket after the early dismissal of Kraigg Brathwaite (nine), who was caught behind off paceman Umesh Yadav.
Barath and Edwards played some attractive shots before fast-bowler Ishant Sharma broke the stand immediately after the tea interval. Sharma had Barath, who hit his third Test half-century, caught
by Venkatsai Laxman, who held a low catch to his left at first slip.
Sharma struck again when he removed Edwards, trapped leg-before after hitting one six and six fours in his second Test half-century.
Earlier in the day
India gained the big advantage through their bowlers in the morning session as the West Indies could add just 119 runs in 36 overs after resuming at 34 for two, with left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha finishing with four for 64.
“We’re in the driver’s seat and things are going pretty well at the moment,” said Ojha. “In the morning, there was some moisture in the wicket and it was doing a bit for us.
“We hope the same thing happens [today]. Our guys are bowling well and hitting the right areas. We’re confident of getting them out early.”
Yadav, who took one wicket on Tuesday, struck twice in the morning to finish with three for 23 in his second Test match, while off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin bagged two for 49.
The West Indies’ batsmen failed to apply themselves in the first innings on a pitch offering turn to spinners.
‘Chanderpaul the key’
Barath termed the veteran batsman as the key for the tourists. “Chanderpaul is the key. He can bat through the day and make it difficult for the Indians,” said Barath.
“We didn’t bat well in the first-innings. It was just a matter of application. We learnt from our mistakes and applied ourselves more [in the second innings].”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2011.
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