Port of Spain: India tightened its grip on the second Test against the West Indies on day three, while the hosts displayed commendable determination in their fight to overcome a substantial deficit of runs at Port of Spain. At the end of the day’s play, the West Indies were placed at 229/5, with Alick Athanaze and Jason Holder standing firm at the crease.
Resuming the final session at 174/3, West Indies had Jermaine Blackwood and Alick Athanaze at the crease, but Ravindra Jadeja struck early for India, dismissing Blackwood for 20, caught by Rahane at slips. Despite this setback, the West Indies reached the 200-run mark in 94.3 overs, but they still required 239 runs to overcome India’s first-inning lead.
Mohammed Siraj contributed to India’s success by claiming his first wicket, sending wicketkeeper Joshua de Silva back to the pavilion for just 10 runs. With half the West Indian side back in the dressing room at 208/5, the situation looked challenging for the hosts.
Earlier, the West Indies had shown some resistance during the second session, thanks to a half-century from their skipper, Kraig Braithwaite. At tea, the West Indies stood at 174/3, with Jermaine Blackwood and Alick Athanaze remaining unbeaten at the crease. Braithwaite, along with his vice captain, steadied the innings and managed to bring up the 150-run mark in 68.1 overs. However, Ravichandran Ashwin put an end to Braithwaite’s impressive knock of 75 runs off 235 balls, comprising five boundaries and a six. At that point, the West Indies were at 157/3.
The partnership between Blackwood and Athanaze proved vital as they navigated through the remainder of the session without any further losses.
In the first session of the day, the West Indies started at 86/1, with Kirk McKenzie and Kraigg Braithwaite at the crease. The duo continued to accumulate runs steadily, reaching the 100-run mark in 44.5 overs. However, debutant Mukesh Kumar claimed his maiden wicket on the final ball of the session, dismissing McKenzie for 32, caught behind by wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan. The West Indies concluded the first session at 117/2.
India had earlier set a formidable target of 438 runs in their first innings, led by Virat Kohli’s remarkable century (121) and fifties from skipper Rohit Sharma (80), Yashasvi Jaiswal (57), Ravindra Jadeja (61), and Ravichandran Ashwin (56).
The bowlers played their part in India’s strong position, with Jomel Warrican (3/89), Kemar Roach (3/104), and Jason Holder (2/57) among the wickets for the West Indies.
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