PHOTOS: Rahane, Pant lead India's strong reply on Day 2

Images from Day 2 of the second Test between India and West Indies in Hyderabad on Saturday.

• Scorecard

Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant hit unbeaten half-centuries to lead India's strong reply with the bat on Day 2 of the second Test.

Rahane made a solid 75, while Pant stroked 85 as they steered India to 308 for four in 81 overs. They trail West Indies by just three runs, after the visitors were bowled out for 311 earlier in the day.

Pant entertained as he slammed 10 fours and two sixes in his 120-ball knock, while Rahane was cautious as he hit just six fours in his 174-ball knock, as the duo put on an unbroken stand of 146 runs for the fifth wicket.

India were in a spot of bother at one stage in the post-lunch session as they were reduced to 162 for four following the dismissal of Virat Kohli, who was trapped leg before wicket by his opposite number Jason Holder for 45.

This was after young Prithvi Shaw lit up the morning session, smashing his way to 70 off 53 balls to provide the initial momentum.

Shaw's cover and off-drive were treat for the eyes. The way he slashed Shannon Gabriel for a six over third man or stood on toes to smash Jason Holder through point was eerily similar to Virender Sehwag's style of play. His innings containing 11 fours and a six were out of the top drawer.

For Pant, it was more about brute power. He hit back-to-back sixes off left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, who till his arrival had decent figures including the wicket of Shaw.

When off-spinner Roston Chase dropped short, he cut it ferociously. When leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo flighted the ball, he took a step forward and whacked it through mid-off. He hit 10 fours and two sixes.

Pant's approach also gave Rahane time to build his innings even though he never looked in control.  

The Indians were also helped by poor fielding from the West Indians. It also didn't help their cause that their main keeper Shane Dowrich got a nasty hit on the knee and reserve keeper Jahmar Hamilton wasn't up to the mark.

He dropped a regulation caught behind chance when Pant was on 24 off Shannon Gabriel and it did prove to be costly as the youngster stitched the partnership with Rahane to keep the Windies at bay.

Caoptain Virat Kohli (45) missed out on an opportunity to add another ton to his growing list of international hundreds as he looked in no trouble whatsoever during his stay at the crease.

He hit the cover drive well and ran the singles as a time when India were in a spot of bother at 102 for three after Shaw and Cheteshwar Pujara (10) were out in quick succession.

Kohli was the dominant partner in the 60-run stand for the fourth wicket as Rahane was initially struggling to score runs. He was finally dismissed by his opposite number with an incoming delivery.

India lost an early wicket as opener KL Rahul (4) suffered another failure, his 15th in 17 Test innings this year.

Earlier, Umesh Yadav ran through the lower order as India bowled out West Indies for 311 in their first innings.

Umesh picked up all three wickets to fall on the second day to finish with career-best figures of six for 88, his second five-wicket haul in Tests.

West Indies lasted just 29 minutes in the morning session on Day 2, adding 16 runs in 6.4 overs, while losing their remaining three wickets.

The only bright spot for West Indies was Roston Chase's century as the right-hander hit a brilliant 106 from 189 balls before he was dismissed by Umesh.

• WEST INDIES IN INDIA, 2018