Let’s give it to the West Indies.
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West Indies were hurtling towards another heavy defeat when they lost four quick wickets on day four of the second Test against India in Jamaica on Tuesday.
The right-handed Chandrika has scored 53 runs from his four innings in the current series, to extend his misery at the highest level.
As sun shone bright and sunny, the wicket eased out a lot and hardly offered any assistance to the Indian bowlers.
Chase and Blackwood started the rally in the morning session with an up-tempo 93-run, fifth-wicket stand, and Chase was key again in anchoring a 144-run, sixth-wicket partnership with Dowrich.
The 26-year-old, who marked his return to Test return with four wickets against West Indies in the opening match in Antigua following a lengthy injury layoff, continued his steady growth in the second match as well, bagging four wickets overall at Sabina Park.
Still he ploughed on as Dowrich and latterly Holder followed suit, India’s bowlers toiling against the renewed vigour of their opposition. But they were never happy with the proceedings, complaining often to the umpires about the shape of the ball, even though the ball wasn’t changed.
“It’s a great feeling to help my team draw the match after falling so far behind”, said Chase after receiving the Man of the Match award.
Virat Kohli termed the final day’s play as “testing day” after West Indies held India to a draw.
Frustrating for the tourists, the result should build West Indies’ confidence ahead of the third test in St Lucia, starting August 9. India has batted eleven and a half sessions in this series. With an attacking field placement, he was putting pressure on the inexperienced West Indian batsmen. This was also Chase’s first Test hundred, and he certainly has the calibre and temperament to score many more. The West Indies’ 250-mark also came up within an hour’s play, in the 54th over.
Dowrich had misread a relatively straight delivery from Mishra. The batsman left shaking his head, but Chase made good on his promise, and duly reached his maiden Test hundred off 175 balls. West Indies cricket has gone through some rough times.
145 – The number of overs lost in the match due to rain.
Several rain delays prevented India from building much momentum at Sabina Park but they still managed to pick up three more wickets before the weather finally put paid to the day’s play midway through the afternoon.
Ajinkya Rahane (108 not out) found himself part of a pattern, one that has been central to India’s success on this tour of the Caribbean. Jermaine Blackwood went on the counter-attack with a knock of 63, at a strike rate of over 116, and Chase provided the solidity required at the other end. He just came out, counter-attacked and played his game, freed up things for us a bit and took the fight to the Indians. If Ashwin takes another five-fer in the next Test, he’ll become the first Indian to make it four in a row. Chase was witnessing this at non-striker’s end as he was batting on 29 from 50 balls.
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“In the two-tier system, they will lose out on a lot, including revenue and the opportunity to play against top teams”. The plan worked and Cheteshwar Pujara took a brilliant diving catch at forward short-leg in the 34th over to send back Blackwood.
