WI v IND, 2nd Test: India bowlers made to work exhausting as West Indies batters sluggish and regular on Day 3

By India Today Sports Desk: West Indies got here up with a resolute batting efficiency on Day 3 of the 2nd Test in opposition to India in Port of Spain. Led by their captain Kraigg Brathwaite’s affected person 75, the West Indies batters made positive India bowlers labored exhausting for his or her rewards on a pitch that was sluggish and docile on the Queen’s Park Oval.

West Indies reached Stumps on a rain-affected Saturday at 229 for five in 108 overs. While West Indies bowlers showcased much more self-discipline than the primary Test wherein the hosts have been bowled out for 150 and 130, the scoring fee of two.12 got here below the scanner as a lot of the West Indies batters tried to bat time on Day 3 of the 2nd Test. West Indies managed simply 57 runs from 34.2 overs within the second session the place they scored at a fee of 1.66 per over.

WI vs IND, 2nd Test Day 3 Highlights

However, West Indies, as on-air commentators identified, could be pleased to seal a draw and will need to have spoken about placing a worth on their wickets after a shambolic batting present within the collection opener. West Indies have been handed an innings and 141-run hammering of their first Test of the brand new World Test Championship cycle.

Only 57 overs of play was doable as Port of Spain witnessed two rain interruptions on Day 3. Also dangerous mild pressured umpires to not make full use of the prolonged time that was out there to finish the overs.

‘ENJOYED IT’

Alex Athanaze, who made his Test debut in Dominica, remained unbeaten on 37 from 111 balls together with their former captain Jason Holder.

“To be honest, I enjoyed it more than Dominica. It was about rebuilding. I thought there wasn’t as much spin as Dominica. I found that they had proper bowling set for their plans. It was challenging,” Athanaze mentioned after the day’s play.

West Indies, who resumed proceedings on 87 for 1, misplaced Kirk Mckenzie for 32 and it was Mukesh Kumar’s first Test wicket in his debut.

Jermaine Blackwood and Kraigg Brathwaite then added 40 for the third wicket earlier than R Ashwin got here up with a peach of a supply to get the West Indies captain for 75 after he had batted 235 deliveries.

Ravindra Jadeja then bought Jermaine Blackwood for 20 (92) balls earlier than Mohammed Siraj struck after Tea to ship Joshua de Silva for 10.

Earlier within the Test, India posted 438 of their first innings, driving on Virat Kohli’s century and half-centuries from Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra jadeja and R Ashwin.

The spotlight of the innings was undoubtedly Virat Kohli’s century. Coming in at a time when India had misplaced 4 fast wickets, Kohli showcased his class and expertise. His century, twenty ninth in Test cricket and first in abroad situations since December 2018, was a testomony to his skill to carry out below stress.

Kohli discovered an ready associate in Ravindra Jadeja, who performed an important function in serving to India get well from the precarious state of affairs. Jadeja’s contribution with the bat was invaluable, as he supplied much-needed assist to Kohli. Together, they stitched collectively a partnership that not solely stabilised the innings but additionally put India in a commanding place.

Ravichandran Ashwin, recognized extra for his bowling prowess, additionally made a big contribution with the bat, scoring a fast fifty to push India’s whole previous 400.