Rahane’s next Test appearance after the feat in the Indian jersey didn’t see much of his talent as he just managed to score 22 runs against West Indies in the first Test match of four-Test series.
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However, courtesy of more purposeful captaincy from Jason Holder and steady bowling from Gabriel and Chase they were kept in check somewhat, stopping at 259 for two at tea after scoring 64 runs.
With one of those fast bowlers being Miguel Cummins, who left the field late in the evening with cramps, the task for the West Indies to pick up the remaining wickets will be made that much more hard. With three days left, they have time on their side and seem determined to grind out a big lead.
Although West Indies dismissed Kohli (44) and Ravichandran Ashwin (3) in the final hour of play, batting mainstay Ajinkya Rahane (42 not out) stretched the lead past 150 with wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha (17 not out) joining him on the crease.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who is on a purple patch, missed out his half-century as he tried to guide the Chase’s delivery on the leg-side, only get caught by Rajendra Chandrika at forward short-leg.
They (West Indies bowlers) came in with a set plan this morning, to keep it tight and not give away easy runs.
At the other end, Pujara was even more watchful, adding only 19 runs to his overnight score without ever looking in any real difficulty on a pitch that still offered its challenges to the batsmen.
“Well look, you probably have to give a little credit to the West Indies bowlers as well”, he said.
However they didn’t have any help from the weather, as it was bright and sunny when play began, rendering this a good day to bat.
The Indian team has tightened the screws on West Indies, and racing towards a massive lead in Jamaica. Cummins too beat the batsmen with his line and length, getting a couple to rise awkwardly, but the edges didn t come or didn’t carry to the fielders as the batsmen looked to play with soft hands. His 50-run stand with Kohli came off 106 deliveries as India went into ascendancy.
Resuming on the second morning on 75 in partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara, he hoisted part-time off spinner Roston Chase for the first six of the innings over long-on to reach three figures after 90 minutes’ play.
India batsman had previously scored a hundred outside India at the venues like Wellington, Lord’s, Melbourne and Colombo.
India are in complete control at the moment.
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“When I went out [to bat], he [Samuels] was just giving me a lot of advice about staying positive and running well between the wickets and try to score runs and wear down the bowlers”, Blackwood was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
