On day one, Ravichandran Ashwin picked up 5-52, his 18th five-wicket haul in 34 Test as West Indies were bundled out for 196 runs in the first innings.
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An aggressive 63 from Jermaine Blackwood inspired much needed batting resistance by West Indies as the home team worked hard to avoid defeat on the fifth day of the second test against India in Jamaica on Wednesday.
But the tourists were quickly into their stride on Tuesday morning and required just 15 balls to get their first scalp, Rajendra Chandrika bowled for one shouldering arms at Ishant Sharma.
Kumble further said that India were in the commanding position for most of the sessions but pointed out that the lack of play on the fourth day due to bad weather dented his side’s chances of taking a 2-0 lead in the series. “Credit to the way the West Indies played today”.
Blackwood snatched the second and third fastest half-centuries in all Test cricket played at Sabina Park, with his 41 and 47-ball efforts respectively. Kumble said India’s bowlers could have adjusted better to the conditions as the day progressed. The hosts were four down and with just 48 on the board, it looked like West Indies would roll over without making India bat again. However, this draw is a great morale booster for the West Indies, and some would suggest that it is indeed a moral victory for them given how they were placed at 48/4 at stumps on day four.
The last of Hope’s six Tests came at the start of the year, against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground when he made 9 in West Indies’ only innings in a rain-ravaged game.
The first four days the wicket was very active. “So it just shows that if we apply ourselves and fight we can get big partnerships together”, he said.
On day two, Lokesh Rahul scored 158 runs, his 3rd Test hundred. There are now 29 overs remaining in the match, for the visitors to force a result.
Chase and Shane Dowrich put on 144 in 38 overs before the wicket-keeper was dismissed in controversial circumstances.
However West Indies dominated from the very first over as Chase and his fellow middle-order batsman displayed assurance and more than a touch of class. “It’s something that we also have to sit down and analyze as to how we’re going to get the last five wickets because in this series they have certainly contributed”, he added.
Starting from overnight 358/5, India pushed to take their lead as fas as possible, while keeping in mind the possibility of rain later in the match as a tropical storm builds up in the Caribbean Sea.
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India captain Virat Kohli lamented the rain that helped the Windies, but also gave credit to the opposition.
