India’s Lokesh Rahul celebrates after he scored a century during his partnership with India’s Cheteshwar Pujara, back left, during day two of their second cricket Test match against West Indies at the Sabina Park Cricket Ground in Kingston, Jamaica, Sunday, July 31, 2016.
Advertisement
Ajinkya Rahane (42 not out) started his innings with a couple of boundaries while Kohli plundered Bishoo for a six and two more boundaries in the 103rd over to take India past 300.
Chase snared his second wicket, the prized scalp of Kohli, when the Indian captain fell to a sharp catch by Rajendra Chandrika at short-leg for 44 and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo earned an LBW verdict against Ravichandran Ashwin.
Rahul, who scored his third hundred in only his sixth match, was pleased with his tremendous knock but said he wants to get better with every opportunity.
Opener KL Rahul showed his worth by scoring his third century in as many countries, but only after he blunted out 159 balls. He scored 58 runs and carried on his brilliant form with the ball by picking up 3 wickets later on.
For Rahul, it was a case of making full use of the opportunity as it is his third Test ton in overseas conditions.
Rahul made his 150 and looking good. But after the fall of Pujara there was never a time when India had two set batsmen at the crease for a considerable period.
Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan put on 87 for the first wicket before Dhawan became Roston Chase’s first Test wicket, well caught by Bravo at short extra-cover for 27.
Rahul too endured a testing first phase in the morning, especially against Gabriel. His previous two hundreds were scored in 2015, coming against Australia (Sydney) and Sri Lanka (Colombo).
The wicket of Rahul seemed to bring out the best in Kohli, the skipper ruthless against the spinners, smashing three fours and a six in the next few overs as India crossed the 300 mark.
Host West Indies are trying very hard to make India’s defence vulnerable.
Cheteshwar Pujara stayed put on at the other end on 37.
Rahane (42) and Wriddhiman Saha (17) negotiated the late burst from Shannon Gabriel safely as India went to stumps on 5-357, another tough day for the Windies compounded by a hamstring injury to fast man Miguel Cummins.
Advertisement
Despite battling cramps, Rahul continued to use the depth of the crease with great effect as he manoeuvred the ball beautifully across vast spaces on the leg-side.
