Only 59 runs were added from the overnight position, extending the second-wicket partnership between Rahul and Pujara to 98, but none off the bowlers were able to make the much-needed breakthrough. Nine others India players had converted their first two fifties into hundreds.
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Rahul showed a lot of composure as he struck his third Test hundred with India sedately reaching 185 for one at lunch on the second day of the second cricket Test against the West Indies in Kingston on Sunday.
After the drubbing in the first Test, West Indies have added uncapped pacer Alzarri Joseph for the second match against India starting here on Saturday.
Rahul compiled a patient and well-worked 158 from 303 deliveries before he was eventually dismissed by fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, edging down leg-side to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich.
Ashwin followed up his haul of seven for 83 in the final innings of the first Test a week earlier with five for 52 on a pitch offering turn and bounce from the very first session of play. Glenn Turner scored 223 not out at this same venue in 1971-72 and Andrew Hudson hit 163 in Bridgetown in 1991-92.
On the stroke of tea, Kohli drove Brathwaite emphatically through the covers and Rahul reached his 150 by nudging an off-break from Chase into the off side to help extend India’s lead to 63 at tea. Also, his average till the end of 2013 was 66.25 compared to just 30.75 since then. India have had nine 50-plus partnerships in this series so far, in 13 broken stands.
Resuming on 1-126, Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara were extremely cautious in the first hour as the West Indies seamers found the right length and managed to swing the ball in the humid conditions. Pujara too defended well and pushed hard between the wickets.
Despite, suffering from cramps, Rahul continued to rotate strike and hit his third six in the innings in the 82nd over, once again off Bishoo.
At stumps, India had consolidated their lead to a sizeable 162 runs despite only 232 runs being scored in the 88 overs bowled in the day as the visitors looked to grind the home team with an aim of out-batting them.
But despite the slow scoring rate and with the second new ball available, Holder opted to continue with the old ball.
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They quickly closed that gap, with Rahul bringing up his century in style with a maximum off the bowling of Roston Chase.
