Mon, 14 Nov 2011-India vs West Indies,West Indies Tour of India 2011-12,2nd Test Match - Bulletin

India clinch series with innings win

Despite a resilient century from Darren Bravo on the fourth day, India outclassed West Indies by an innings and fifteen runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match series. West Indies battled hard after being skittled out for 153 to post 463 following on, thanks to Bravo’s classy 136 and attacking 84 from Marlon Samuels

But, overhauling a mammoth 478 run deficit proved to be too much of an ask as Umesh Yadav returned with match figures of 7 for 103 and the spin duo of R Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha shared ten among themselves.West Indies after capitulating for 153 yesterday morning had showed some spine in defying Indian bowlers for the remaining two sessions. Starting the fourth day with a deficit of 238 runs, the visitors had to bat out good part of two days to save the match. Despite this daunting ask, they still had hope as two of their best batsmen were in the field to kick off proceedings.

Darren Bravo and Shivnarine Chanderpaul began steadily to take the score past 200 before India wasted a golden opportunity to get a wicket in the eleventh over. Bravo having reached his fifty on the previous delivery pushed one to mid-off and set for a single even as his partner remained undecided, with both batsmen stuck at the same end, Gambhir’s wide and loopy throw towards Dhoni gave Bravo enough time to make his ground.

While the pitch continued to be batting friendly, India took the second new ball straight away. And, Ishant Sharma almost immediately got a break through but Bravo’s outside edge didn’t carry to the slips. However, it was youngster Umesh Yadav who finally removed Shivnarine Chanderpaul, bowling him off an inside edge for 47. The 108 run partnership for the fourth wicket had blunted India for 23.4 overs.

In came Marlon Samuels and with a newish ball in operation, runs began to flow from both the ends. While Samuels was bit edgy to begin with, Bravo kept playing his shots and brought up his century with a steer down to third man boundary. As Ashwin and Ojha bowled in tandem before the Lunch break, the batsmen scored quick runs to dent their figures and prolong Windies resistance into the second session. The positive stroke play meant the visitors had added 144 runs in the first session for the loss of Chanderpaul’s wicket.

The first over after Lunch from Ishant Sharma went for three boundaries as Bravo and Samuels made most of the easy batting conditions. With singles available, the odd boundary kept the score board moving even as Samuels reached his fifty off just 57 deliveries with ten boundaries. Soon after, hundredth run of the partnership that threatened to change complexion of the match was scored.

Having gone wicket-less for 110 overs of the West Indian innings, Ojha got the first one shortly after the visitors had gone past 400. Bravo on 136 edged a routine delivery to Dravid at first slip. Nevertheless, the 132 run stand for the fifth wicket had given West Indies a realistic chance of avoiding the innings defeat as the deficit had been reduced to 77 by the time the centurion went back.

Ojha made it two after six overs as Carlton Baugh perished in the same manner, this time Dravid taking pouching a tougher chance than the first one. The procession continued with the wicket of Marlon Samuels for 84, R Ashwin trapping him plumb in front.

With India lead 57, Ashwin clean bowled Kemar Roach as the chances of an innings defeat increased with each wicket. Even though Darren Sammy tried to salvage some pride with few big hits, Umesh Yadav removed him and last man Bishoo in successive deliveries to give India victory by an innings and 15 runs.

Day 3: Bulletin on next page