Spirited India settle for draw

On the heels of two nailbiting finishes in the first two Test matches, anticipation shifted focus to St. Kitts for a result. But rarely has a fifth day pitch looked as good as the one that enabled a less thrilling, but still highly entertaining drawn result, that was sealed at Warner Park today.

In the face of a demanding target of 392, the touring Indians put up a good fight against a largely disciplined West Indian attack, but time ultimately conspired against both teams, and the game was called off with the final innings score at 298-4.

Half centuries from Virender Sehwag, Wasim Jaffer, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid kept things interesting. And though the West Indies fought hard and pressed for wickets, it simply was not enough to win through in the end. In the process India ensured that worry remained in the mind of Brian Lara, as they ultimately finished 94 runs short of the massive target.

The initial belief that an Indian victory may yet have been on came in the person of Virender Sehwag. Dropped by Gayle – a sitter at slip – when he had just 5 and looked all at sea, Sehwag fought through the early aggression posed by the West Indies and grew swiftly in confidence and stature on his way to 65 off 75 balls.

As the 100-run opening stand came up in 148 balls, it seemed a game was well and truly in the making. Sehwag had been reprieved once again by Sarwan in the covers, and at lunch India stood at 109-0, needing 283 more runs with 62 overs remaining in the game.

Immediately upon resumption, Corey Collymore trapped Sehwag in front to stagger the momentum and introduce Laxman to the contest. The first innings centurion began carefully and played himself in on the comfortable surface. Instead it was Jaffer who started to open up with lovely strokeplay and even lovelier timing. He reached his second half-century of the match, but was caught at slip soon after for a good innings of 54.

Collins was the successful bowler, and the West Indies sensed opportunity once more. Captain Dravid was hardly moved, however, and joined Laxman in another structured stand. Careful assessment of the pitch and the situation was the early aim, but the partnership blossomed over time and the batsmen began to sense the moment and the opportunity for an unlikely win. In such aspirations, Laxman slashed a wide ball to be caught at slip by Lara.

Enter Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The powerful wicketkeeper-batsman seemed to have one goal on his mind, and made mention of it with a clobbered six down the ground off the first ball he received from Collins. Such intentions saw the field spread and a strictly defensive approach arise in the West Indian game plan.

Dhoni sent the ball over the ropes once more, then was brilliantly held by Gayle in the covers. He was out for a 32-ball 20, and with him, India’s pursuit, it seemed. The requirement of 119 runs in fewer than 17 overs seemed a few too many in a bit too few overs. India added 25 more runs in 13.3 more overs, before the game was called off in agreement between the two captains.

Daren Ganga had earlier improved from an overnight 41 to 66 not out off 75 balls, carrying his tally for the match to 201 runs and sealing the Man of the Match award, as the West Indies declared their second innings closed at 172-6.

West Indies 1st innings 581 all out
Daren Ganga 135, Ramnaresh Sarwan 116
Harbhajan Singh 5-147, Munaf Patel 3-134

India 1st innings 362
VVS Laxman 100, Wasim Jaffer 60
Corey Collymore 3-63, Jerome Taylor 3-118

West Indies 2nd innings 172-6 dec.
Daren Ganga 66 no, Ramnaresh Sarwan 23
Anil Kumble 3-60, S Sreesanth 2-19

India 2nd innings (chasing 392 for victory) 298-4
Rahul Dravid 68*, Virender Sehwag 65, VVS Laxman 63, Wasim Jaffer 54
Pedro Collins 2-66, Corey Collymore/Jerome Taylor 1-40

Match drawn.

Cricket Web’s Man of the Match: Daren Ganga – 135 and 66*