Rahane (108 not out) carved out his seventh Test hundred to strengthen India’s hold on the game as the visitors declared their innings at 500 for nine in response to West Indies’ first innings score of 196.
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Chandrika scored 5 and 1 in that Test. Only 15.5 overs were possible and West Indies were struggling at 48 for 4 in their second innings.
Overnight showers made sure that 75 minutes were lost before play could resume and the West Indies’ second innings could begin.
Blackwood, in fact, took the attack to India, hitting 63 off only 54 balls, though he fell to Ravichandran Ashwin, offering a hard bat-pad catch to Cheteshwar Pujara at short leg.
He too perished thanks to a spinner, in this case Amit Mishra, who got him leg-before-wicket.
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.
Holder, the fast-bowling all-rounder who knows how to wield a bat coming in at number eight, teamed up with Chase to assure the draw. They did not win the Test match but if we can see more efforts like this I am sure this team is on the way to very good things.
Chase and Shane Dowrich put on 144 in 38 overs before the wicket-keeper was dismissed in controversial circumstances.
Chase’s fighting ton and half centuries from Shane Dowrich (74) and captain Jason Holder (64 not out) helped West Indies draw the contest which they had nearly lost.
The West Indies bowlers stuck to their task well, keeping the India batsmen subdued for long periods. The 22-year-old Barbadian has been recalled into the squad following Chandrika’s barren run of form in the two Tests at Antigua and Jamaica, where he managed an aggregate of 53 runs across four innings. Kumble said India’s bowlers could have adjusted better to the conditions as the day progressed. “When you lose a Test and behind in the second, it takes something special to save the match”, Kohli said at the post match presentation ceremony. I thought we played really good cricket and we were dominant right throughout. “But, whether we play in India or overseas, what important for me is my process and preparations”, Rahane said after the end of the day play.
India, having won the first Test by an innings and 92 runs in North Sound, will be confident of taking a 2-0 lead into the third match of the four-Test series, which starts in Saint Lucia next Tuesday.
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India lead the series 1-0 and the third Test will be played at Gros Islet, August 9.
