India vs West Indies, Highlights, 1st Test, Day 2 at Rajkot, Full cricket score: Spin trio push Windies to 94/6 at Stumps

India v Windies, 1st Test, Day – 2, summary:

1st session : 142/1 (29), RR – 4.90
2nd session : 143/4 (31.5), RR – 4.54
3rd session : 94/6 (29), RR – 3.24

Stumps, Day 2

Another day that was completed dominated by India as they went on to score nearly 650 runs with Virat Kohli and then Ravindra Jadeja score centuries, the former has this habit of doing it regularly, while it was the first occasion for the latter to score a Test century and no better place to do it than at the home ground. Indian bowlers came out and ran through West Indies’ top order with Mohammed Shami removing the openers cheaply. Ashwin got the big wicket of Shai Hope followed by a bizarre run out. Jadeja was in action with the ball as well, picking a wicket of the first ball while Kuldeep was also bagged Dowrich’s wicket. Needless to say that India have the game by the scruff of the neck and it shouldn’t be a surprise if the match completes on Day 3.

After 29 overs,West Indies 94/6 ( Roston Chase 27 , Keemo Paul 13)

Shami bowls the final over of the day. There is a stifled appeal for leg before against Chase, but the ball was sliding down the leg side. Chase clipped a couple early in the over before seeing out the remaining deliveries before stumps were called.

After 28 overs,West Indies 92/6 ( Roston Chase 25 , Keemo Paul 13)

Interesting over this with Paul throwing everything he has to milk couple of boundaries. Kuldeep continues to give the ball some air. After the boundaries, he misses a slog sweep with the ball turning away but fortunately he didn’t leave his crease.

FOUR! Proper tail-ender’s slog sweep for a boundary. He isn’t holding back against Kuldeep and the bowler shouldn’t mind that.

SIX! Oh that is a meaty hit. Paul steps out and tonks a googly over long on for a huge six

After 27 overs,West Indies 82/6 ( Roston Chase 25 , Keemo Paul 3)

Shami returns to the bowling crease and he seems to be alright with no real fitness issue as he runs in. Paul does well to defend first few balls before getting to other end via a leg bye before Chase ends the over with a boundary. Two overs left in the day’s play.

Roston Chase’s scores against India in Tests:

23, 8, 10, 137*, 2, 10

He is batting on 25 at the moment.

The shot Dowrich played to get out, sums up Windies’ batting effort. Complete harakiri. Last time when West Indies played a Test series on Indian soil back in 2013, the two-match series barely lasted five days and if these batsmen continue to bat with such lack of application, we can expect a similar sort of scenario this time as well.

FOUR! Chase picks it off his pads and clips it to mid wicket fence for a boundary off the last ball of the over.

After 26 overs,West Indies 77/6 ( Roston Chase 21 , Keemo Paul 3)

India are simply stream rolling their opponents here. Keemo Paul comes out to the crease and gets off the mark with a lofted shot over mid on for a couple.

OUT! Bowled’em! Dowrich is gone! Kuldeep gets his first wicket, with a big turn into the right hander. Dowrich saw the flight and was lured into the drive with the ball coming in sharply.

Dowrich b Kuldeep Yadav 10(35)

After 25 overs,West Indies 74/5 ( Roston Chase 21 , Shane Dowrich (W) 10)

Jadeja fires one down the leg side and Pant had no chance to collect it. Single off the final ball will mean Dowrich will take strike for the next over.

After 24 overs,West Indies 69/5 ( Roston Chase 21 , Shane Dowrich (W) 9)

Six runs off the over with a boundary off the second ball. There are some complains regarding the condition of the ball as umpires check.

FOUR! Chase sees the flight and flicks it over the infield for a boundary. Good thing he played it with the spin.

After 23 overs,West Indies 63/5 ( Roston Chase 16 , Shane Dowrich (W) 8)
 

Jadeja finds the edge but the ball is away from the slip fielder. Dowrich gets a run to backward point. Chase works it to square leg for another single. End of another tidy over.

There hasn’t been vicious turn for spinners. Still half of the Windies batting is back in the hut already. A lot will depend on this Chase-Dowrich partnership. The wicketkeeper-batsman Dowrich batted well against Ashwin and Jadeja when India toured West Indies back in 2016. But on this track against three quality spinners, it will be a different ball game altogether. There is pressure on Chase as well. It has been 22 innings since he scored his last Test hundred.

After 22 overs,West Indies 61/5 ( Roston Chase 15 , Shane Dowrich (W) 7)

Kuldeep is brought into the attack for the first time. Chase handles it with comfort as Kuldeep begins with a maiden.

After 21 overs,West Indies 61/5 ( Roston Chase 15 , Shane Dowrich (W) 7)

Jadeja slips in a quick maiden. Fun to see young Prithvi placed at silly point. Turning, twisting and trying to find some cover as the Windies batsman look to attack.

After 20 overs,West Indies 61/5 ( Roston Chase 15 , Shane Dowrich (W) 7)

Chase batting with some sense here. Putting away the bad deliveries and treating the good ones with some maturity. Only the boundary off the over.

FOUR! Tossed up by Ashwin and Roston Chase smacks it over the bowler’s head for a straight boundary. Well-controlled lofted straight drive earns him four more runs.

After 19 overs,West Indies 57/5 ( Roston Chase 11 , Shane Dowrich (W) 7)

Dowrich picks a boundary off the final ball of Jadeja’s over. We are into the final hour of day’s play. Can Windies hold their own for the last hour?

FOUR! Some width on offer and Dowrich obliges. He cuts Jadeja off the backfoot past point for a boundary.

After 18 overs,West Indies 53/5 ( Roston Chase 11 , Shane Dowrich (W) 3)

Singles on either side of four dots from Ashwin’s over. Dowrich will keep strike with a run off the final ball. India in complete control. Can they be bowled out today?

After 17 overs,West Indies 51/5 ( Roston Chase 10 , Shane Dowrich (W) 2)

West Indies tick past fifty but with their half-side back in the pavilion. Jadeja strikes in first over and if in case you are marinating record then the trail is below is 600 otherwise the number is of no particular use.

OUT! What a day, Jadeja is having. Comes on to roll his arm with the ball and gets a wicket off the first ball. Rajkot erupts. Ambris was looking to go for the big heave with the ball was turning away it was never a good option. He gets an outside edge to Rahane at first slip.

Ambris c Rahane b Jadeja 12(20)

After 16 overs,West Indies 49/4 ( Sunil Ambris 12 , Roston Chase 10)

Nine runs come of Ashwin’s over. First the attacking boundary and then a flick on the onside earns Chase three more runs.

FOUR! Chase takes on Ashwin as he slogs it to mid wicket fence for a boundary

After 15 overs,West Indies 40/4 ( Sunil Ambris 10 , Roston Chase 3)

Umesh Yadav resumes post the drinks break and sends down another quiet over giving away just a single off the final ball. However, he has issued a warning from umpire Gould for running on the danger area.

West Indies are going nowhere here. Really disappointed to witness such lack of appreciation from these talented batsmen, who have done well of late at home as well as in their last tour of England. And above everything the run-out of Hetmyer was unacceptable. 

However, 25-year old St. Lucia cricketer Sunil Ambris is a real talent. At the domestic circuit, he bats at the top-order and known for his attacking approach. Coming into this Test match, he scored a dominating ton in the warm-up game at Vadodara. that too batting at No. 7.

After 14 overs,West Indies 39/4 ( Sunil Ambris 9 , Roston Chase 3)

Ashwin gets one to spite off the wicket from outside the off stump. Cuts through Chase and even Pant isn’t able to grab it the ball runs for four byes. Chase plays for the turn the next ball, which Ashwin had pushed it straight, gets an outside edge that almost carried to Rahane at first slip, instead Chase earns a couple. Time for drinks.

After 13 overs,West Indies 33/4 ( Sunil Ambris 9 , Roston Chase 1)

Yadav holding the length back for most part of the over. Ambris doesn’t try anything fancy. A hopeful appeal for a leg before from India is denied. Single off the over.

After 12 overs,West Indies 32/4 ( Sunil Ambris 9 , Roston Chase 0)

West Indies keep digging themselves deeper and deeper. Eventful over with the wicket of Hetmyer. Roston Chase is the new man in.

OUT! Comedy! This is unreal stuff. Just don’t see this on a cricket field very often. Hetmyer goes back and pulls it to mid wicket. Sets off for a run and then denies it, while his partner Ambris keeps running. Both the batsmen were at one end. Seeing which Jadeja decides not to throw the delivery and starts jogging from mid wicket. Hetmyer leaves his crease and advances towards the bowler’s end and is halfway there before Jadeja realised that the batsman was making his way back. Instead of whipping the bails off, he throws it from few yards and fortunately hits. Hetmyer departs, but the story could have been very different.

Hetmyer run out (Jadeja) 10(28)

After 11 overs,West Indies 29/3 ( Shimron Hetmyer 8 , Sunil Ambris 8)

Hetmyer solidly defends Umesh Yadav’s over for a maiden.

After 10 overs,West Indies 29/3 ( Shimron Hetmyer 8 , Sunil Ambris 8)

Strange over this! Ashwin gets one of Windies’ mainstay with an absolute beauty but with his side’s top order back in the hut with the trail still over 600, Sunil Ambris, fresh from a whirlwind ton against the Board President’s XI, comes out and smashes couple of balls to the boundary. Ha!

Sunil Ambris:

– One of the 12 players with the first career shot in-form of a six in Test cricket
– Only batsman to get out hit wicket off the first ball on career Test debut

FOUR! Was not quite to the pitch off the ball, but is Ambris is able to get enough elevation to clear the infield and drag it to mid wicket boundary

FOUR! Flighted outside off and new man Ambris decides to go after it with hard hands. Drills it through covers for a boundary to get off the mark.

Ravi Ashwin’s performance in Tests: 

Wickets | SR

Home : 226 | 49.3
Away : 102 | 62.1

OUT! Got’em! Only with his eighth ball of the game, Ravi Ashwin strikes. Gem of a delivery that was tossed up just outside off, he gets it to dip on the batsman and Hope hung his bat out thinking he had covered the line, the ball just came in a touch, the exact amount of deviation to clip the off stump. WI in dire straits. Hope gone.

S Hope b R Ashwin 10 (22)

After 9 overs,West Indies 20/2 ( Shai Hope 10 , Shimron Hetmyer 7)

Change of ends for Umesh Yadav. He is contuing from where Shami was bowling. Tidy stuff from Umesh as he mixes it up by firing in a yorker that Hetmyer is able to dig it out. Only one off it.

After 8 overs,West Indies 19/2 ( Shai Hope 10 , Shimron Hetmyer 6)

Ashwin is brought into the attack. Begins with a one on the leg stump that the left-hander is able to clip it for a single. Some sharp turn for Ashwin as he bowls to the right hander. Hope steers it to past short third for a single while Hetmyer takes one off the penultimate delivery.

Spin. Ravi Ashwin introduced into the attack.

There hasn’t been much bounce for the Indian pacers so far. And both Shami and Umesh have used it to their advantage by bowling straight. To counter this strategy, the Windies batsmen need to play on front-foot as much as possible. Also, rather than going for those expansive drives, here they should concentrate more on playing in the ‘V’. And now with Shami out of the field, Kohli has to introduce spin. This will be a real test for these young Windies batters.

After 7 overs,West Indies 16/2 ( Shai Hope 9 , Shimron Hetmyer 4)

Shami is holding his sides and clearly in some pain. Tries to play with it, only to complete his over with a boundary and walking off the field. Fitness has always been an constant issue for the speedstar.

FOUR! Length on middle and leg stump and Hope likes going down the ground. A crisp on drive to earn four more runs

After 6 overs,West Indies 12/2 ( Shai Hope 5 , Shimron Hetmyer 4)

Yadav maintains tight lines and even finds the edge, but unfortunately the edge evades the fielder. Five runs come off the over.

FOUR! Tentative start to Hetmyer’s innings. Edges it past gully for a boundary.

After 5 overs,West Indies 7/2 ( Shai Hope 4 , Shimron Hetmyer 0)

Another left-hander in Shimron Hetmyer walks in at number four after Shami traps Powell early in the over. Shami has accounted for both the visiting openers and he has done it all by himself. Knocking over Brathwaite and then pinning Powell. India’s new ball bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are resting and here Shami revels the new red cherry. Cannot say about the entire team but can say it with little contention that India has never had such luxury and depth in their bowling.

Mohammad Shami has now completed 50 wickets in Asia in Tests. His SR of 44.1 in Asia in Tests is the best among all other Indian bowlers.

OUT! Shami strikes from the round the stumps. Goes wide of the crease, angles it into Powell’s middle stump and the batsman, who was looking to whip it on to the leg side is beaten for pace. The ball skids and crashes into the pads around the knee roll. Umpire Ian Gould reckons it is out and despite the referral the decision remains the same. WI’s both the openers are back in the hut.

K Powell lbw M Shami 1 (6)

It was the discipline of Indian bowlers which earned that Brathwaite scalp. Both Shami and Umesh hit the right areas, straight from the start. They were attacking the stumps, instead of trying different things. However, I feel a batsman of Brathwaite’s quality should have kept that out.

After 4 overs,West Indies 7/1 ( Kieran Powell 1 , Shai Hope 4)

Powell gets off the mark with single to midwicket, where a misfield allows the single. Hope gets off the mark with a classic drive past the bowler. A shot you would want to watch it on loop.

FOUR! Spectacular straight drive back past the bowler by Shai Hope to get off the mark. High elbow, full face of the bat, top shot.

After 3 overs,West Indies 2/1 ( Kieran Powell 0 , Shai Hope 0)

Wicket maiden for Shami. Bowling with a lot of vigor as he clocks 145 clicks. Windies’ best batsman Shai Hope walks in at three.

Mohammad Shami’s bowling SR against each opposition in Tests:

Australia : 50.6
England : 71.9
New Zealand : 58.3
South Africa : 45.2
Sri Lanka : 43.5
West Indies : 37.4

BOWLED! Brathwaite is on his way! Beautiful delivery from Mohammed Shami! Comes in a touch after pitching and goes through the gap between bat and pad. Mini-scare for Shami with the front foot, he landed on the line and after having a close look at it, the TV umpire has ruled it a fair delivery. Brathwaite’s 50 Test with the bat doesn’t go according to plan. Early setback for the visitors

K Brathwaite b M Shami 2 (10)

After 2 overs,West Indies 2/0 ( Kraigg Brathwaite (C) 2 , Kieran Powell 0)

Good to see Umesh Yadav back in the whites. He too, starts his spell with a good over, giving away only a single. No real movement for eeither of the opening bowlers.

After 1 overs,West Indies 1/0 ( Kraigg Brathwaite (C) 1 , Kieran Powell 0)
 

Mohammed Shami starts well untill he slides the final delivery on Brathwaite’s pads that is tucked to fine leg for a single, which is also the first runs for the Windies.

This is Kraig Brathwaite’s 50th Test. 

His record in Tests in 2018:

Innings – 9
Runs – 343
Average – 42.88

Players make their way for the final session of play. Windies openers – Kraigg Brathwaite and Kieran Powell – have a mountain of a task ahead of them. Mohammed Shami done his bit with the bat to help Jadeja get to his maiden Test hundred is noww ready with the ball.

Most innings to maiden Test century for India:

151 – Anil Kumble
122 – Harbhajan Singh
56 – RAVINDRA JADEJA*
53 – Manoj Prabhakar

Most sixes hit by India in a Test innings:

15 v Sri Lanka, Mumbai, 2009
11 v Windies, Rajkot, 2018*
10 v England, Chennai, 2016

I believe, at this moment Jadeja, without a doubt is India’s first-choice spin all-rounder. If he maintains his form, Jadeja should feature in the XI ahead of Ashwin in Australia.

Kohli declares. Perfect timing as the bowlers will get an entire session today to have a go at the Windies batsmen.

Highest totals for India against Windies in Tests:

649/9d, Rajkot, 2018*
644/7d, Kanpur, 1979
631/7d, Kolkata, 2011

India declare and Tea is called, as Virat Kohli calls back his two players. They are placed at 649/9. Three hundreds scored in the innings- Shaw, Kohli and Jadeja. Windies in all sorts of trouble here. They will need to bat and bat and bat here, in this heat and mind you, they would already be tired. 

We will be back soon with West Indies’ reply to India’s 649.

HUNDRED! Jadeja hits a hundred, finally, takes the single and reaches his first Test hundred. It has come late but glad that he was able to do it. Gutted for Bishoo though, after so much of effort, could not get his fifth wicket.

Brathwaite continues.

After 149 overs,India 647/9 ( Ravindra Jadeja 99 , Mohammed Shami 1)

There is a sudden fire in the game as two cricketers struggle for their respective milestones. Jadeja stuck on 99, Bishoo on four wickets. Jadeja had the opportunity to get his 100 but rather took a single and gave Shami four balls to survive. Was a bit strange but Bishoo could not get him out. One more before tea, I guess.

This is now India’s highest total against West Indies in Tests, their previous highest was 644/7d which they put on at Kanpur in 1979.

Ravindra Jadeja has just gone past his previous highest Test score of 90 runs which he scored at Mohali against England in 2016.

Bishoo continues

After 148 overs,India 645/9 ( Ravindra Jadeja 98 , Mohammed Shami 0)

Brathwaite has bowled quicker deliveries in this over, bowling it wicket to wicket, not giving any room to Jadeja. No run in the over, which means Shami will be playing Bishoo in the next over. Good chance for the bowler to get his fifth victim in the innings.

Brathwaite continues

After 147 overs,India 645/9 ( Ravindra Jadeja 98 , Mohammed Shami 0)

Bishoo continues. Like Jadeja is looking for the hundred, he has been looking for his fifth wicket. It does not seem so that he will get it as Jadeja will get to his hundred in the next over and the declaration should come eventually. Even if he gets out, India will be bowled out.

SIX! And Jadeja steps out again, reaches to pitch of the ball, hits Bishoo over the long-on for a maximum, moves to 97 now.

Bishoo continues

After 146 overs,India 638/9 ( Ravindra Jadeja 91 , Mohammed Shami 0)

Brathwaite fires it in from round the wicket, not giving any room to Jadeja, who has his eyes set on the leg side. He still manages a boundary off the penultimate ball of the over. He is on 91 now. Can he do it?

FOUR! Brathwaite bowls it down the leg stump line and Jadeja sweeps it, beats the short fine leg fielder for a boundary.

Brathwaite continues

After 145 overs,India 633/9 ( Ravindra Jadeja 86 , Mohammed Shami 0)

Tough day out for West Indies as Jadeja continues to hit those big runs. He is into 80s now and obviously the reason why India are continuing to bat. He is looking for the hundred and the deadline should be Tea.

Can Jadeja get that hundred here? He missed out narrowly at the Oval. The No.11 is at the crease now. Though Shami is no mug with bat. He can hang around.

SIX! Bishoo fires it in from round the wicket, Jadeja reaches for it after stepping out and hits it straight into the stands for a maximum. He is on 85 now.

Bishoo continues

After 144 overs,India 626/9 ( Ravindra Jadeja 79 , )

Brathwaite brings himself into the attack and is bowling wide outside the off stump to Umesh, not pitching it up in his area, from where he whips it to the leg side. As a result, Umesh falls, trying to clear the long-off boundary. Jadeja gives a pat on his back as Umesh walks back having done a great job, scoring 22 off 24.

Mohammed Shami, right handed bat, comes to the crease

OUT! Wide and short, Umesh tries to clear the long-off boundary, but does not connect well, is held on to the fielder placed there. His short but effective innings comes to an end. U Yadav c Sherman Lewis b Kraigg Brathwaite 22(24)

Kraigg Brathwaite is back into the attack

After 143 overs,India 624/8 ( Ravindra Jadeja 78 , Umesh Yadav 21)

Bishoo is looking for his fifth wicket. He has bowled 51 overs in this innings and deserves a fifer for always looking for wickets and dealing with the heat here. Keeps the batsmen quiet in this over with just 4 runs.

FIFTY-run partnership has come up between Jadeja and Umesh in no time, just 32 balls to be specific.

After 142 overs,India 620/8 ( Ravindra Jadeja 77 , Umesh Yadav 18)

India dealing in sixes and fours at the moment and the crowd is up on its feet now, cheering every time a boundary is hit. India now at 620 for 8.

SIX! Typical Umesh Yadav kind of batting, gives his all as he sweeps it over the deep mid-wicket boundary. Result is six runs.

SIX! Chase bowls from round the wicket, Jadeja steps out again and this time goes flat and clears the long on. Six more runs for India.

Chase continues

After 141 overs,India 604/8 ( Ravindra Jadeja 69 , Umesh Yadav 10)

Bishoo continues. Jadeja takes him on too. Hits a six and the Bishoo fires in a flatter trajectory one, which hits Jadeja on the hands in the process of cutting it.

SIX! Bishoo comes in from round the wicket, flights ball, Jadeja steps out and hits is over the sight scree for a maximum. 600 up for India

Bishoo continues

After 140 overs,India 597/8 ( Ravindra Jadeja 63 , Umesh Yadav 9)

11 runs from the last over and India are scoring big runs now. Umesh Yadav has joined the party as well. Misery continues for West Indies.

Most 50s for India without scoring a century in Tests:

16 – Chetan Chauhan 
10 – Ravindra Jadeja*
9 – Rusi Surti

Bishoo will eye a five-for here while Umesh Yadav has also amassed a ton in FC cricket which he did against Orissa in 2015 at Nagpur.

FOUR! Flighted ball, Jadeja comes forwards uses wrists to hit the ball through the mid-wicket for a boundary.

SIX! flighted ball and Yadav clears the long on for a maximum, upping the tempo of the innings.

After 138 overs,India 586/8 ( Ravindra Jadeja 59 , Umesh Yadav 2)

Alright so, Jadeja has begun his shot-making after scoring the fifty. India only 14 away from 600 and 30 mins from Tea. Guess 600 will happen first the way they are batting.

Jadeja continues to impress since his comeback. Yet another useful contribution from him. During the Asia Cup, I asked Rohit Sharma about this resurgence of Jadeja’s career and he felt that the time out of the team has made this southpaw a batter player. 

However, with Umesh batting at the other end, now Jadeja has no option left. He has to change gears and get some quick runs.

SIX! Flat but effective as Jadeja goes big over the long-on fielder to fetch six runs for the side.

Bishoo continues

After 138 overs,India 576/8 ( Ravindra Jadeja 51 , Umesh Yadav 0)

The good run for Ravindra Jadeja continues, across formats. Has hit his 10 Test fifty. The famous sword celebration was back. Right after his fifty, Umesh Yadav tries his famous bat swing to deep mid-wicket, does not connect but intentions quite clear.

FOUR and FIFTY for Jadeja, his 10th in Test cricket as he pierces the ball through the gully region for a boundary

Chase continues.

After 137 overs,India 571/8 ( Ravindra Jadeja 46 , Umesh Yadav 0)

Bishoo has got four wickets now. Kuldeep was playing well and the wicket allows Windies to look for the two more wickets and get India all out. Jadeja still there and would be looking to take the team to 600 or beyond.

Umesh Yadav, right handed bat, comes to the crease

OUT! Kuldeep is gone, trapped in front of the stumps, Bishoo came in from round the wicket, the ball turned into te batsman sharply and while he tried defending it on back foot, missed the ball and it hit his pads. Umpire raised the finger straightaway after appeal. 
Kuldeep Yadav lbw b Devendra Bishoo 12(32)

After 136 overs,India 570/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 45 , Kuldeep Yadav 12)

Chase hit for boundary and it is Kuldeep who is doing the run-scoring now. India nearing the 600-run mark.

FOUR! Kuldeep picks the flighted ball and sweeps it for a boundary.

After 135 overs,India 566/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 45 , Kuldeep Yadav 8)

Bishoo bringing Jadeja forward. Brathwaite is keeping the same field for both the batsmen. Lazy captaincy, points out Sunil Gavaskar on air. Windies, playing the waiting game again, hoping for batsmen to make mistake.

After 134 overs,India 566/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 45 , Kuldeep Yadav 8)

Chase continues from the other end. Bowling it a little quicker and flatter to Jadeja. Kuldeep ends the over with a boundary as tired fielders continue to misfield.

FOUR! Flighted ball to Kuldeep, who steers it through right of mid-off for a boundary.

Chase carries on.

After 133 overs,India 557/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 41 , Kuldeep Yadav 3)

Bishoo continues. Brathwaite has placed deep mid-wicket and long-on, two favourite and run-scoring areas of Jadeja. He is giving loop to Jadeja and bowling full to Kuldeep. Almost trapped Kuldeep in front of the stumps.

Bishoo continues after drinks

The delivery which got rid of Ashiwn, turned sharply. Don’t think Indians will mind that. They have three quality spin options. Whereas these are ominous signs for the Windies.

After 132 overs,India 556/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 40 , Kuldeep Yadav 3)

Roston Chase into the attack. No sign of Gabriel. Maybe Brathwaite wants to give less pace to batsmen to play. Drinks have been called.

Roston Chase, right arm off break, into the attack

After 131 overs,India 556/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 40 , Kuldeep Yadav 3)

Bishoo continues. It is time maybe to being Gabriel back into the attack and surprise the like of Kuldeep Yadav with bouncers. West Indies should look to end the innings as soon as possible here.

Bishoo continues

After 130 overs,India 554/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 39 , Kuldeep Yadav 2)

Keemo Paul giving it his all. Almost got Jadeja but the fall missed the keeper’s gloves by inches. Kuldeep is the new man and he can bat a bit. India are still almost 46 runs away from the total of 600.

Kuldeep Yadav has also had a First Class century to his name. He hit it against Baroda at Nasik in 2016.

FOUR! Paul comes in from round the wicket, takes the edge of Jadeja’s bat but the ball flies away from keeper but only by a whisker.

After 129 overs,India 549/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 34 , Kuldeep Yadav 2)

Bishoo sends back Ashwin. This is exactly what the doctor had ordered. It will still be a great effort if West Indies are able to bowl India out here.

Kuldeep Yadav, left handed bat, comes to the crease

OUT! Ashwin is gone! Spuns big after pitching as Ashwin tries to defend it on back foot, takes the edge, deflects but well caught by keeper Dowrich. Ashwin c Dowrich b Devendra Bishoo 7(15)

After 128 overs,India 545/6 ( Ravindra Jadeja 32 , Ravichandran Ashwin 7)

It will be a tough test of the Indian bowlers as well, pointed by the commentators on air. With this much score on the board, India would want to pick 20 wickets in one go. Doing that, on this pitch, and in this heat, would not be so easy.

Keemo Paul into the attack

After 127 overs,India 543/6 ( Ravindra Jadeja 31 , Ravichandran Ashwin 6)

Bishoo in for another one. Bowling right lengths. Should try to bowl as much as possible to the new batsman. India will look to score quick runs and that will bring the opportunity to get wickets. Just 1 from the over.

Bishoo continues

After 126 overs,India 542/6 ( Ravindra Jadeja 30 , Ravichandran Ashwin 6)

Important for West Indies to pick a wicket here. They cannot let Ashwin get in and score runs now. Not taking quick wickets has led to this situation.

FOUR! Fullish and outside the off stump, Ashwin goes for it and slices it, ball races away for a boundary through the gully.

Lewis continues

Ashwin has four Test hundreds in his career so far and all four have been scored against the West Indies. This is an important innings for him. Following the debacle in Southampton, he needs some runs under his belt to get his confidence back.

After 125 overs,India 536/6 ( Ravindra Jadeja 29 , Ravichandran Ashwin 1)

Bishoo has bowled 42 off the 125 overs bowled by Windies in this innings so far. Almost 30 pecent of the total overs, for two wickets, in the heat of 35 plus degrees. He deserves some sort of award when this match ends.

‘Another outing, another century’ he knows how it is done!

Another outing, another century! A great habit to have. Keep it up... 👍 pic.twitter.com/ohQ50sZ3dU

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 5, 2018

Bishoo continues

After 124 overs,India 534/6 ( Ravindra Jadeja 28 , Ravichandran Ashwin 0)

Kohli is gone and that will bring the run-scoring rate a little down. Ashwin is the new man in and remember he has scored four Test tons, all against West Indies. So he of course, loves this bowling attack. Fruitful over for Windies, finally.

Ravichandran Ashwin has scored four centuries in Test cricket and all of them have come against West Indies.

Ravichandran Ashwin, right handed bat, comes to the crease

OUT! That’s the end of Virat Kohli, Virat came early in the shot – a cover drive – and miscues it, ball goes up in the air before Bishoo catches it at mid-on. Kohli c Devendra Bishoo b Sherman Lewis 139(230)

With Jadeja at the crease and Ashwin to follow, Kohli should continue to play his normal game here. There is no rush at this point. India will be happy with 100 runs in this session. There is a lot of time left in this match. So, ideally till the halfway stage of the final session today, they should continue to bat.

FOUR! Lewis comes in from round the wicket, takes the edge off Jadeja’a bat but the ball goes through slip cordon for four to third man.

Lewis continues

After 123 overs,India 529/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 139 , Ravindra Jadeja 23)

Bishoo continues and Virat is now upping the run-scoring here, smashing back-to-back boundaries. India maybe wanting to play till tea to put over 600 on the board.

FOUR! Fullish from Bishoo and also on legs, Virat flicks it again from the right of mid-wicket for a boundary.

FOUR! Think it was googly and Kohli spotted it beautifully, went for sweep through the mid-wicket to fetch four runs.

FIFTY-run partnership completed between Jadeja and Kohli for the sixth wicket in 85 balls. Jadeja has contributed 22 runs in this partnership.

After 122 overs,India 519/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 130 , Ravindra Jadeja 22)

Lewis comes round the wicket to Jadeja but it does not trouble the batsman. This partnership is nearing 50 runs in just 83 balls. Windies bowlers have let all the batsmen come and settle in very easily. The lack of bite in their bowling is hurting them immensely.

After 121 overs,India 518/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 129 , Ravindra Jadeja 22)

Easy singles on offer for Jadeja and Kohli. Poor captaincy this from Brathwaite. No pressure on batsmen at all as fielders have been spread all across. No plan in place. Wonder what the talk was in dressing room during lunch.

Barring a few odd phases, the Windies’ field placement has been a real disappointment so far in this Test. They haven’t shown much intent to attack the new batsman. For example, when Jadeja came in to bat, there were long on, long off and deep cover in place, offering him easy singles to rotate the strike. No pressure at all. Clearly the lack of experience in the Windies camp is evident here.

Bishoo continues.

Virat Kohli: (2016, 2017, 2018)

– Only Indian player to score 1,000+ Test runs in three consecutive calendar years

– Only captain to score 1,000+ Test runs in three consecutive calendar years

After 120 overs,India 513/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 126 , Ravindra Jadeja 20)

Lewis into the attack. 1000 Test runs for Virat Kohli this year and not to forget, there are still some matches left to be played. He has been unstoppable this year. The gap between the him and Joe Root (719 runs) who is second on the list tells you the run he has had.

Virat Kohli becomes the first batsman to score 1,000-plus runs in Tests in 2018.

His last 3 years in Test cricket:

2016 – 1215
2017 – 1059
2018 – 1000* (And counting)

FOUR! Driven beautifully through the mid-off and Kohli brings up his 1000 Test runs in 2018

Shermon Lewis into the attack from the other end.

After 119 overs,India 506/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 120 , Ravindra Jadeja 19)

Bishoo to Jadeja, with one slip in place, bowling regular leggies. Jadeja plays it with soft hand and does not score a run.

The crowd turnout for this game is really disappointing. Last time when England were here back in 2016, the stands saw a lot more fans. Actually, this SCA ground is situated far away from the city and reaching here by public transport is a bit of hassle. However, we can expect a better turnout during the weekend.

Devendra Bishoo to bowl the first over in lunch session. Jadeja faces the first ball.

Welcome back to the second session of the day. India strongly placed at 506/5 and we will see how far India goes in this innings as far as declaration is concerned.

Lunch, Day 2

Kohli was at his solid best on Day 2 morning, going past another three-figure score in Tests. Pant was the
aggressor, smashing the big hits and finding the fence and once he went past his fifty, he cut loose before falling to Bishoo for 92 while attempting another big hit. Jadeja spent some time in the middle along with his captain to take India past 500. Windies bowling has been sub par. Do tune in for the afternoon session in about 35 minutes from now.

After 118 overs,India 506/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 120 , Ravindra Jadeja 19)

You can see the batsmen huffing and puffing in the Rajkot heat. When you see Kohli battling the conditions, you can guess it how difficult it might be. Windies have not made things difficult by adding any sort of pressure not even in the last over of the session. Four runs come off it and that’s an session that has gone India’s way.

After 117 overs,India 502/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 119 , Ravindra Jadeja 16)

No hurry in this over as Kohli and Jadeja take five chancless singles. Bishoo goes past the 150-run mark (obviously, that is the number runs he has leaked in his 38 overs so far). India tick past 500. Last over before lunch coming up.

After 116 overs,India 497/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 116 , Ravindra Jadeja 14)

A single off the first five deliveries off Brathwaite, but a short ball is tapped on the off side behind point and Jadeja wants two. Rarely see this, but he stretched Kohli for the second and the Indian captain had to put in few rapid strides to make it in time.

After 115 overs,India 494/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 115 , Ravindra Jadeja 12)

Bishoo puts a difficult chance down off his own bowling. This is only chance Kohli has given so far in his innings. Three off the over. India six runs away from 500.

There was a Test hundred for taking but Pant just threw it away here. Couldn’t read the googly. Very well disguised by Bishoo as well. Meanwhile, Jadeja has come to the crease now and the local boy would like to continue his form, which he has found since making a comeback in the team at the Oval.

Rishabh Pant became the first Indian player to be dismissed in nervous 90s in his maiden Test innings in India.

DROPPED! Full and a flighted delivery from Bishoo and Virat Kohli’s eyes lit up. He gets beneath the ball and drills it straight at the bowler. Was hit with immense force and despite Bishoo going for the catch is unable to hold on, due to its sheer power. Kohli dropped on 114

After 114 overs,India 491/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 113 , Ravindra Jadeja 11)

Windies waiting for the batsman to make a mistake rather than their bowlers springing in a surprise or two. There is no assistance from the surface as of now and India are happy to work their way to 500 and ensure they don’t lose another wicket in the fag end of the morning session.

After 113 overs,India 488/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 111 , Ravindra Jadeja 10)

Bishoo goes through the motions of bowling six deliveries with Jadeja stretching out his pads to a couple of deliveries, as if to just check test them out, not offering a shot. Two singles come off it.

After 112 overs,India 486/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 110 , Ravindra Jadeja 9)

Downright ordinary bowling from the West Indies. Easy singles for the batsman to take, no penetration, just don’t see any sort of competition from the tourists. India add four more runs to their total.

After 111 overs,India 482/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 109 , Ravindra Jadeja 6)

Jadeja is taking giant stride along with bringing his bat right in front. Seems very confident since the couple of useful innings he played in England. Kohli on the other keeps the scoreboard ticking with easy singles available. Five runs off it.

After 110 overs,India 477/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 106 , Ravindra Jadeja 4)

Brathwaite continues. After couple of dots, Jadeja is able to get to the other end with a single off a full toss to long on. The duo exchange three more singles off as many deliveries.

After 109 overs,India 473/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 104 , Ravindra Jadeja 2)

Pant’s fall brings local boy Ravindra Jadeja to the crease. He has been promoted ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin, perhaps the left-right combination is the thought behind the move. A wicket and three singles off Bishoo’s over.

OUT! Pant lives by the sword and well to die by it. Was a tossed up delivery from Pant outside off and he goes for the big hit down the ground. His head falls over and reckon it was the googly that took the outside edge giving point fielder easy catch. Falls eight short of his second Test century. But, it has been an entertaining innings. More to come.
 

Pant c K Paul b Devendra Bishoo 92(84)

And Virat Kohli goes past Steve Smith. Seems the Indian skippers has started from where he left in England. A flawless innings this has been so far. Yes, the West Indies attack hasn’t been challenging enough, but like a true professional, Kohli has just gone about his business, without much fuss.

After 108 overs,India 470/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 103 , Rishabh Pant (W) 92)

Brathwaite sends down a routine over as Kohli and Pant work five runs off the over. Pant into the 90s. Will he have a century in back-to-back Tests? Will he reach there in the next over?

After 107 overs,India 465/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 102 , Rishabh Pant (W) 88)

Kohli seems to be unstoppable and it is surely not the first time it has been said. Keeps going on and and on. Appetite seems to never end. India are now looking towards a mammoth score now. Pant is nearing his ton as well.

Seven or more centuries in most different calendar years in international cricket:

5 – Virat Kohli (2012,14,16,17,18)
5 – Sachin Tendulkar (1996,98,99,2001,10)
4 – Ricky Ponting (2002,03,05,06)
4 – Steve Smith (2014,15,16,17)

Fewest innings to score 24 Test centuries:

66 – Don Bradman
123 – Virat Kohli*
125 – Sachin Tendulkar 
128 – Sunil Gavaskar
132 – Matthew Hayden

Most centuries by captains at home in international cricket:

21 – Ricky Ponting 
14 – Steve Smith
13 – Graeme Smith
12 – VIRAT KOHLI*
11 – Greg Chappell
11 – Brian Lara

Most centuries by Indian players in Test cricket:

51 – Sachin Tendulkar 
36 – Rahul Dravid
34 – Sunil Gavaskar 
24 – VIRAT KOHLI*
23 – Virender Sehwag

Hundred! Century number 24 in Tests but already feel like he has score 5176 tons. Don’t dare ask me why! The Indian captain keeps churning out century day in- day out. Another fantastic innings, well compiled to say the least. He leads the current generation of batsmen with 24 Test tons going past former Australia skipper Steve Smith. Achieves the feat with a boundary to fine leg.

After 106 overs,India 458/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 97 , Rishabh Pant (W) 86)

Kraigg Brathwaite is running out of bowlers as he brings himself into the attack. Pant and Kohli divide the four singles between them.

After 105 overs,India 454/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 95 , Rishabh Pant (W) 84)

Bishoo slips in a quiet over here. Much needed for Windies and the most experienced spinner must deliver, but wickets is what is needed.

After 104 overs,India 451/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 93 , Rishabh Pant (W) 83)

Pant is milking runs here. Chase’s over costs 11 and India go past 450. Pant might well get his century before his captain.

FOUR! Short delivery and Pant has pounced on it. Cuts it away for another boundary.

After 103 overs,India 440/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 91 , Rishabh Pant (W) 74)

Brathwaite has turned to his most senior spinner to break this stand that is now worth almost 100. Bishoo comes into the attack. With regular singles Kohli has quietly moved into the 90s, while Pant is firing all cylinders at Rajkot. He is switched on the T20 mode. Tearing the spinners apart. India inching towards 450. The six brings the 100-run partnership.

SIX! There is the slog sweep. Pant is liking this. Goes down on his knees with the ball coming into him. Pant has smoked this one for big one.

FOUR! Pant top edges a sweep but there is no fielder in the ring behind square, the ball trickles down to fine leg boundary.

After 102 overs,India 427/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 89 , Rishabh Pant (W) 63)

Exactly the same scoring shots from the previous over to start Chase’s new over – a four and a six. Pant almost chopped it on to his own stumps after smashing the spinner off his first two deliveries. Clearly Rishabh is teeing off here.

SIX! And again. Rishabh advances down the pitch and goes bang over long off this time. There was a long off in place, but it barely mattered to Pant. Chase under the pump.