Cricket: Tendulkar remains on course

Batsman unbeaten on 67, in sight of his 100th century.

MUMBAI: Sachin Tendulkar stayed on course for an unprecedented 100th international century as India made a strong reply on the third day of the third and final Test against the West Indies.

The master batsman was unbeaten on 67 while Rahul Dravid (82) completed 13,000 Test runs as India reached 281 for three in their first-innings in reply to the West Indies’ 590 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Tendulkar has so far added 57 for the unfinished fourth-wicket stand with VVS Laxman (32*) with India now needing 110 more runs to avoid the follow-on with seven wickets in hand.

‘It should be interesting’

West Indies captain Darren Sammy said his aim was to ‘break a few Indian hearts’.

“We could’ve a full house with Tendulkar on 67, but we have plans to break a few Indian hearts,” said Sammy. “There’s still time left and the game is about the first session, how quickly we get
the wickets.”

Tendulkar’s 133-ball knock included an uppercut for six off paceman Fidel Edwards. He played handsomely but was lucky to survive on 58 when wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh dropped a difficult chance off leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo.

“Things change very quickly in India, especially on red soil once the ball starts turning,” said Indian opener Gautam Gambhir. “If we can put a decent total and then try to get the West Indies out, there’s still a chance of winning.”

The West Indies earlier added 15 runs to their overnight total of 575 for nine before Ravichandran Ashwin bowled Bishoo (12) to finish with five for 156 - his second five-wicket haul in the debut
Test series.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2011.