WI v IND, 2nd Test Day 3 Review: Indians on top

India solidified their position on Day 3 of the First WI v IND Test at Antigua after bowling the West Indies out in their first innings and making them follow-on. While Day 2 certainly saw some batting heroics from the likes of Ravi Ashwin and Virat Kohli, Day 3 saw some spectacular bowling performances from Mohammad Shami Umesh Yadav as they concluded with 4 wickets apiece.

The third Day at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium began with nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo and Kraigg Brathwaite continues from where they left off. Survival was the first thing on their mind as they faced a baptism of fire at the hands of the Indian bowling attack. The first to go was Bishoo as he was stumped by Wriddhiman Saha after failing to execute a fine-tuned sweep shot. The fall of Bishoo quite effectively triggered the collapse for the home side. This time, it was Mohammad Shami who played the role of wrecker-in-chief.

As Shami swung the ball to the extent of a world class bowler, the middle order of the West Indies batting in the form of Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, and Jerome Blackwood all fell to the irresistible Shami. Interestingly, all of these wickets were nicks to the slip cordon as Shami’s outswingers were proving to be simply lethal.

After the lunch interval, it was a clear case of mop-up for the Indians and enforce the follow-on. Roston Chase and Shane Dowrich led a brief resistance before Chase was snapped up by Indian pacer Umesh Yadav for a well-made 23 after managing to find skipper Virat Kohli at short mid-wicket. Dowrich’s gritty attitude ensured that the Windies were managing to keep the Indians at bay by waiting out the Indian pace attack. Dowrich managed to reach his half-century and would also go on to be unbeaten while doing so.

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Jason Holder became yet another West Indies batsman to play down the wrong line as yet another batsman fell to the infamous outside-edged shot. Holder’s 36, although ensuring that the Indians were kept at bay for the most part, however, failed to help the Windies beat the follow-on par score. Carlos Brathwaite fell for a first ball duck before Amit Mishra removed Shannon Gabriel, thus bringing a close to the West Indian innings rather prematurely at 243.

Kraigg Brathwaite came out to bat for a second time in the match and in the day along with Rajendra Chandrika. In spite of Chandrika getting off to a flier, it was the solid Kraig Brathwaite who was dismissed by Ishant Sharma for a paltry 2. The Windies opted not to go in with a night watchman as Darren Bravo (10) and Chandrika (9) remained unbeaten at the close of play.

Brief Scores

India, 1st Innings: 566/8 (V Kohli 200; K Brathwaite 3/65)

West Indies, 1st innings: 243 all out (K Brathwaite 75; U Yadav 4/41)

West Indies, 2nd innings: 21/1 (DM Bravo 10*; I Sharma 1/3)