Dominant India has set up an intriguing finale. Despite rain interruptions where the second session wash out almost entirely. India managed to dominate on either side of it. First, it was Mohammad Siraj who set the tone with a career-best 5/60 followed by quickfire fifties from Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan that helped India set a target of 365. By the end of the day, Ashwin ensured that West Indies were pushed back early in the chase, capping off a near-perfect day for the visitors.
West Indies lost their last five wickets for just 26 runs on the morning of day four with Siraj being the wrecker-in-chief.
With the second new ball at their disposal, India’s pacers got the ball talking, with Mukesh Kumar first taking up Alick Athanaze without adding to his overnight total. Following that, it was all Siraj, who found movement in both directions as he bowled West Indies out for 255.
He then worked his way down the lower order, moving the ball away with the seam-up and bringing in the scrambling seam to catch them off guard. While Jason Holder and Kemar Roach were caught off guard by the away going one, nicking behind to the keeper, Alzarri Joseph and Shannon Gabriel were caught in front of the one coming in.
His tireless pursuit helped India build a large 183-run advantage. Which grew to 281 before the rain delay, due to some aggressive batting by the openers.
Also Read: Ishan Kishan lifts the curtain on Kohli’s unselfish act
As India began to extend their lead, skipper Rohit Sharma struck a 35-ball fifty, his fastest in Test cricket.
His third successive half-century of the series. Yashasvi Jaiswal provided solid support, keeping his own scoring rate up. It was Rohit who remained the center of attention, pulling sixes with disdain even when it came with risks. He drop twice on his way to fifty before succumbing to a catch down the fine leg after reaching his goal.
While rain caused an early stop to the first session. West Indies gained success almost immediately when Jaiswal’s attempt to hit Jomel Warrican ended in a routine catch.
Through some consistent batting, the West Indies openers were able to see off the pace danger with the new ball. However, the introduction of R Ashwin flipped the script once more. Ashwin kept asking questions on a slow pitch, despite having some extra flight and substantially fuller lengths. He had skipper Brathwaite out LBW, but DRS overruled it. However, his disappointment short-live because he duped Brathwaite into ill-fated sweeps.
While he was lucky the first time, Brathwaite was out the second time. Chipping an easy catch to short fine leg and became Ashwin’s fourth victim in the series. Kirk McKenzie then undone by a change in angle and velocity, as Ashwin darted a quick one from around the wicket to snare him plumb in front for a duck.
The West Indies stayed unbeaten for the remainder of the day. Setting up an exciting conclusion on a surface that is still playing slowly.
Also Read: Fargana Hoque creates history with century against India