India extend lead to 73 on rain-hit fourth day

India steadily increased their lead, following an early setback, reaching 62 for one in their second innings in the rain-affected second Test against West Indies on Friday.

Abhinav Mukund was not out on 27 and Rahul Dravid was not out on 18, taking the Indians to an overall lead of 73 at the interval on the rain-hit fourth day.

Play started 50 minutes later than regularly scheduled, with the visitors resuming from their overnight total of 23 without loss.

They lost opener Murali Vijay in the second full over of the day, when he was caught behind for three, edging an unplayable delivery that moved away sharply.

Mukund and Dravid started to blossom, following a circumspect start against a West Indies attack that continued to exploit the lively Kensington Oval pitch.

Mukund drove West Indies captain Darren Sammy through mid-off for his second boundary to get into stride, and Dravid steered a delivery from Fidel Edwards between third slip and the gully for his first four.

Dravid however, had an anxious wait on nine, when he turned a delivery from Sammy to mid-wicket, and fielder Adrian Barath claimed a low catch, diving forward.

But a consultation between on-field umpire Asad Rauf and TV umpire Gregory Brathwaite gave Dravid a reprieve.

India are looking to wrap up their second straight Test series victory over West Indies in the Caribbean.

They will also be looking to create a piece of history by becoming the first Indian side to win a Test and One-day International series in the Caribbean - but they will also have to overcome their poor history here.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team still have cause for optimism though - following a 10-wicket defeat for Sourav Ganguly's side nine years ago, West Indies have lost six of the next eight Tests they have played at this venue.