SRT 200th Test Match Report: India vs West Indies – 2nd Test, Day 2

West Indies were trailing by 270 at the end of second day’s play against India at Wankhede Stadium. Centurions Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma put India in the driver’s seat after Sachin Tendulkar set the tone for the day with a fine 74. Pujara had held the innings together halfway through the day, while Rohit entertained with his elegance as he once again helped India to a formidable lead. And with Ravichandran Ashwin claiming two wickets and Pragyan Ojha picking one, the visitors were reeling on 43 for three when play was called off.  (Also Read: STR 200th Test Stats Highlights: India vs West Indies – 2nd Test, Day 2)

Earlier, welcomed to the ground to a standing ovation, Tendulkar resumed his innings on 38 on Day 2 of his final Test and continued from where he had left off the previous evening. He sent Shane Shillingford racing to the boundary twice in a row in the second over of the day as if indulging his fans’ demands as they chanted his name.

The deafening applause persisted even when he defended a ball. Dot balls and even Pujara’s efforts at the other end were applauded if it meant that the crowd could watch their favourite batsman at the crease that much longer. Every single that Pujara took to give the strike to his senior and every run that the 40-year-old picked became a reason to chant that much louder or blow conches and whistles. Runs were flowing for India as the legendary batsman batted fluently and was accompanied by the ever-so-calm Pujara.

He brought up his half-century with the straight drive – a shot that he plays with élan – eliciting a thunderous response from the gathering. The festive atmosphere prevailed as he took India past the WI first-innings total.  

With much anticipation, more fans had made their way to the Wankhede Stadium on Friday morning (November 15) hoping and praying that the Master Blaster would add another century to his already overwhelming tally of tons. But it was not to be. Attempting to cut Narsingh Deonarine, he was caught by Darren Sammy at first slip. The WI skipper caught the ball high above his chest to mark the end of an innings, which stunned the stadium into silence. With the song coming to an abrupt end, Tendulkar walked back to the pavilion. The maestro graciously raised his bat to the people before climbing the stairs to the dressing room. WI had claimed a vital breakthrough and it was their first wicket of the day. But in keeping with the mood of the situation, Sammy and his men celebrated the wicket mildly. 

At the end of the 144-run partnership, Virat Kohli joined Pujara in the middle and the duo continued to add runs for India. Pujara even survived an appeal for a catch at short-leg. And as the partnership began to flourish, the duo took the hosts to 282 for three at lunch in front of a subdued crowd. However, the stand was halted on 94 when Kohli, while defending a delivery from Shillingford, was caught by Sammy in the slips for 57.

A bit later, Pujara brought up his century, but 13 runs later handed a simple return catch to Shillingford and became the spinner’s fourth scalp of the innings. 11 runs later, Sammy held his fourth catch of the innings to send his opposite number, MS Dhoni, back to the hut.    

With the home team on 365 for six, Ravichandran Ashwin joined local lad Rohit in the middle. The pair had taken the team past 400 and looked set for another big partnership when Shannon Gabriel spoilt the party. Ashwin’s swing at the ball only sent it high in the air and the bowler caught it to send him back and bring in Bhuvneshwar Kumar.   

While India had garnered 131 runs from the second session, WI gained four wickets from it when tea was called.

In the first over of the final session of the day, Shillingford picked his fifth scalp and Sammy his fifth catch of the innings as they sent Bhuvneshwar back on his way. Pragyan Ojha, who replaced him, ran himself out as he scampered for a tough second run. With the last man Mohammed Shami for company, Rohit then brought up his half-century in the next over.

Rohit farmed the strike to extend the lead. Scoring bulk of the runs in his partnership with Shami, he scored his second consecutive century. The batsman playing in only his second Test encouraged, conferred and lauded the No.11 batsman’s efforts to stay at the crease and play the supporting role. The pacer too playing in only his second game displayed caution and maturity as he either rotated the strike or saw an over through. Shami was still batting on one when Rohit sent the ball sailing over long-on to bring up his 100. Though his century came off 117 balls, the 26-year-old seemed to have reached there in an unhurried manner. In the next over, Shami broke free and cut and swept Shillingford to collect couple of boundaries. But an over later, he holed out to Best at deep square-leg to return for 11, while Rohit was stranded on 111 (11x4, 3x6) not-out. The Mumbai lad stole the show as he scored 65 runs in the 80-run partnership with Shami.

Facing an uphill task, Chris Gayle and Kieron Powell came out to take on the Indian bowling attack in the second innings. But in the seventh over Powell stepped out to Ashwin and ended up offering a catch to Shami Ahmed who came running in from long-off to take it. Night watchman Tino Best was the next to be sent back by Ojha and Darren Bravo edged Ashwin to Murali Vijay in the slips to signal the end of day’s proceedings. Gayle was not out on six when stumps were called.

source: bcci.tv