Day 2 of India-WI test match at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium at Gros Islet, St. Lucia, was a mixed bag for India.
“Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha rescued India from what could’ve been an early collapse on day 1 itself. The collapse still did come through, albeit after a marathon 6th wicket partnership of 213 runs between the two batsmen”, observes Vaikundarajan.
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“Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha rescued India
from what could’ve been an early collapse on day 1 itself.
The collapse still did come through, albeit after a marathon
6th wicket partnership of 213 runs between the two
batsmen”, observes Vaikundarajan.
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Both batsmen struck fighting centuries, with Ashwin
making 118, reaching his hundred with a six off Rolston
Chase, after he’d faced 265 balls, and Saha making 104
off 227 balls. This was Saha’s maiden test century.
Saha played an aggressive knock on Wednesday
morning, as opposed to Ashwin who chose to hang
around for as long as possible. “Ashwin’s approach
could be a lesson for top-order batsmen who needed to
apply themselves a bit on a difficult-to-bat wicket,”
opines Vaikundarajan.
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Although the joy lasted till midway after lunch when Saha
fell, and India lost 5 wickets for just 14 runs after the
mammoth stand. India were eventually bowled out for 353
runs.
West Indies replied with a strong effort from their top
order, with the opening batsmen bringing up their first
50-run partnership in the series, and in fact their first in
the last 26 innings together.
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Though a direct hit from K L Rahul sent opening batsmen
Johnson back to the pavilion, with the score reading 59.
Darren Bravo came to the crease then, and together
batted out 23 overs with Brathwaite.
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The pitch seemed to have eased out, with Indian bowlers
not getting much out of it. The two batsmen comfortably
put on 48 runs for the second wicket. Ravindra Jadeja
(0-9), playing for the first time in the series, made the
batsmen play as much as possible, but to no avail.
“India will need a strong start from their seamers on
the morning of Day 3, to make a dent in the Windies
batting line-up, and hope that Ashwin matches his
batting performance with a few wickets”, reflects
Vaikundarajan.