Ashwin and Saha forged a superb 213-run alliance by mid-day on Day 2. Having come together at 126-5, they took India from a position where they were in danger of losing the game to one where they could consider themselves in charge. Not a single Indian bowler could penetrate Brathwaite of Bravo’s defence, as the duo made lightwork of their batting and defended astutely. On Day 2, the last four wickets fell for 14 runs. The said partnership is India’s second highest for the sixth wicket in overseas Tests behind the 222 between Mohammad Azharuddin and Sachin Tendulkar vs South Africa at Cape Town in 1996 97. West Indies attack though nothing exceptional, was more disciplined and ambitious than the earlier two tests.
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Surviving the nervous nineties for too long and after getting stuck at 99 for six overs, Ashwin crossed the 100-mark in style by lofting a Roston Chase ball to six at long off in the 117th over of the innings, taking the score to 323 for 5 wickets.
He continued to bat as beautifully as he did yesterday. The pitch had seemingly eased out, but Ashwin’s guard certainly hadn’t. Leon Johnson and Kraigg Brathwaite presented the full face of the bat, punching neatly and defending with objective. Ashwin proved his credentials as a competent batsman yet again with 118 runs of his own on the occasion.
Saha’s eagerness meant that 51 runs came off the last 10 overs going into the lunch break.
Saha followed suit soon after.
By contrast, Saha accelerated his innings while his partner was becalmed to hit his maiden century in Test cricket. India have previously played a Test in this ground in 2006 and the game ended in a draw. This is the joint-most for India in an away series.
Alzarri Joseph, who has been impressive on his debut, orchestrated the second Indian collapse. However it was Chase who separated the third-wicket pair. Cummins’s relief was quite apparent, he leapt with joy and punched the air before being mobbed by his teammates. According to the Economic Times of India, the reserve price was kept at Rs11 crore (US$164,000) per match, totalling Rs22 crore (US$324,000). The result was that in the middle session, India managed just 43 runs from 19 overs, with only two boundaries being struck.
“I did my job pretty well, got the team off to a decent start and the boys carried on from there”. It was a sharp chase diving to his left, but one that Rahul should have taken.
Rahul though later redeemed himself with a brilliant piece of skill that had Johnson run-out. Skipper Jason Holder and Kraigg Brathwaite did not get any wicket.
Just minutes before stumps, Brathwaite got to his fifty with two upper cut boundaries off Ishant Sharma.
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There issue will be that while this Indian team is capable of scoring quickly if they put their minds to it, the West Indies team will have to take a survival first approach.
