India looks increasingly unlikely to hold on to its top test ranking after the third day of its fourth test against West Indies was washed out Saturday without a ball being played. And, in truth, it is thus far no more than was expected from Virat Kohli’s side going up against a West Indies team that has fallen on hard times in cricket’s five-day format. It ran West Indies close in the second match, too, but rain and a spirited effort from the West Indies batsmen on the fifth day helped the home side salvage a draw.
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Times: Thursday to Monday, play starting at 10 a.m. EDT each day.
West Indies, who won the toss and elected to bat first, were 62/2 when play was called off. Kraigg Brathwaite (32 not out) dropped anchor at one end with the aggressive Indian bowlers posing hard questions. Though the day began on a bright and sunny note, the outfield remained water-logged due to overnight rains and many areas around were dug up to dry in sunshine in the absence of super sopper with the ground staff for faster drying.
Marlon Samuels (4 not out) and Brathwaite diligently saw out the next seven overs.
The early turn shows spinners will play a key role in this Test match, which is perhaps why West Indies captain Jason Holder dropped Joseph Alzarri in favour of Devendra Bishoo.
The umpires then made a decision to have an inspection at 11am local time, an hour and a half after the scheduled start of play at 9.30am.
India lead the series 2-0, but need to win the fourth Test to prevent Pakistan from overtaking them at the top of the world rankings.
Marlon Samuels (4) then joined Brathwaite at the crease, and the two took the score past the 50-mark before rain arrived again, just 15 minutes before the scheduled lunch break was slotted to be taken.
A short of length delivery aimed at Leon Johnson’s ribs, it forced the opener to go back on his stance and fend at it hard, ballooning it to short-leg where Rohit Sharma caught it.
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West Indies 1st Innings: 66 for 2 in 22 overs (Karigg Brathwaite 32 batting; Ishant Sharma 1/7, R Ashwin 1/22).
