India Fight Back

Finally India has shown some much needed discipline with both bat and ball to drag themselves back into this Test match.

Firstly some line and length bowling, backed up by some solid fielding, helped to restrict the West Indies to a lead of 130 runs on the first innings.

Secondly a stolid gutsy century from the unfashionable Wasim Jaffer (113*) has given India an 85 run lead with eight second innings wickets still to fall.

Resuming at 318/6 the West Indies were hoping to build on their overnight lead, on a pitch which was not offering any of the seam or swing of day one.

Rahul Dravid surprised many by electing to take the new ball at the start of today’s proceedings, after spin had proven successful against the Windies middle order on day two.

Dravid’s pace bowlers did not let him down; bowling a tight line and to their field, with an occasional well placed short ball they frustrated the West Indies into mistakes.

Denesh Ramdin (26) was the first victim caught at the wicket from the bowling of Munaf Patel (331/7). Ian Bradshaw (33 from 85) after stubborn resistance fell to a quality short ball from the bowling of Vikram Singh.

Another nasty ball from Singh saw Fidel Edwards (4) caught behind. Anil Kumble came back to claim the last wicket, and the West Indies were dismissed for a manageable 371. Dave Mohammed remained not out 19.

With a deficit of 130 India showed much greater resolve in their second innings, the fact that the pitch was neither facilitating seam nor swing also helped their cause.

With Fidel Edwards leaving the field with a hamstring injury, Brian Lara rotated his attack in an attempt to break the India opening partnership of Virender Sehwag and Wasim Jaffer.

Finally Sehwag was dismissed caught by a juggling Chris Gayle off the bowling of Corey Collymore for a quick 41 (72/1).

VVS Laxman and Jaffer seemed to be in control before Laxman (31) played a country village slog against the spin of David Mohammed and was caught at mid-on (147/2).

Dravid (21*) and Jaffer than featured in a ‘no thrills’ partnership of 65, which took the Indians to stumps with an overall lead of 85.

The day belonged to Jaffer who seemed to grow with confidence as his innings progressed, playing some lovely drives along the way.

The match is now in the balance, but with the West Indies having to bat last, one suspects India will fancy their chances.

India 241
Rahul Dravid 49, Varinder Sehwag 36
Dwayne Bravo 4/40, Corey Collymore 3/27

West Indies 371
Chris Gayle 72, Dwayne Bravo 68
Anil Kumble 3/86, Munaf Patel 3/80

India 215-2
Wasim Jaffer 113*, Varinder Sehwag 41
Dave Mohammad 1/39, Corey Collymore 1/27

India lead by 85 runs with 8 wickets in hand.