PIX: Rahane, Kohli hit fifties to put India in control

Images from Day 3 of the first Test between West Indies and India in Antigua, on Saturday.

• Scorecard

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane hit unbeaten half-centuries to put India in firm control, on Day 3 of the first Test against West Indies in Antigua, on Saturday.

India were comfortably placed on 185 for three in 72 overs, for an overall lead of 260 runs with two more days still left in the match.

Kohli was unbeaten on a patient 51 from 111 balls, while Rahane hit his second fifty of the match as he made 53 not out from 140 balls, to patiently consolidate India's stronghold in the match.

The duo were involved in an unbroken stand of 104 runs from 247 balls for the fourth wicket on a slow wicket at the Sir Vivian Richard stadium in North Sound.

India had lost an early wicket when Mayank Agarwal was trapped leg before wicket for 16 by Roston Chase after he decided not to review it but replays showed the ball was missing the leg stump.

His opening partner Rahul also perished attempting the sweep as he missed it and was bowled by Chase for 38, followed by Cheteshwar Pujara's dismissal to Kemar Roach.

Earlier, India, who made 297 in their first innings after being put into bat, bowled out West Indies for 222 in 74.2 overs with Ishant Sharma returning with best figures of 5 for 43.

Besides Ishant, Mohammed Shami (2/48) and left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (2/64) scalped two wickets apiece.

For West Indies, Chase top-scored with 48, while skipper Jason Holder played a fighting 39-run knock as the hosts failed to build up partnerships.

India lost three wickets in the post-lunch session but still managed to keep their nose ahead of the West Indies on the third day of the first Test in Antigua, on Saturday.

The visitors were 98 for three in 37 overs at the tea break, for an overall lead of 173 runs.

Off-spinner Roston Chase was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, picking up two wickets for 42 runs, taking the wickets of both the Indian openers -- Agarwal and Rahul.

Pacer Roach went through Pujara's defence with a cracking delivery to reduce India to 81 for three.

Thereafter, Kohli and Rahane played cautiously to get India to tea without any further damage.

Earlier, India, who made 297 in their first innings after being put into bat, bowled out West Indies for 222 in 74.2 overs with Ishant Sharma returning with best figures of 5 for 43.

Besides Ishant, Mohammed Shami (2/48) and left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (2/64) scalped two wickets apiece.

For West Indies, Chase top-scored with 48, while skipper Jason Holder played a fighting 39-run knock as the hosts failed to build up partnerships.

Resuming the day on 189 for eight, Holder and Miguel Cummins stuck together for 103 balls, forging a crucial 41-run partnership for the ninth wicket to take West Indies close to the Indian total.

Holder kept a calm head and guided his younger partner Cummins brilliantly to get as close as possible to the Indian total.

While Holder made 39 off 65 balls with the help of five boundaries, Cummins gave his skipper the right support from the other end by just staying at the crease although he couldn't open his account.

Cummins' determination to stay at the crease and give his skipper company can be gauged from the fact that he played 45 balls for no runs.

The Indian bowlers found it difficult to break the stubborn partnership between Holder and Cummins as they needed 85 balls in the opening session of the third day to dislodge the stand.

The partnership was finally broken when Holder edged a Mohammed Shami delivery to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant behind the stumps in the 74th over.

Left-arm spinner Jadeja finally drew curtains on West Indies innings when he cleaned up Cummins in the very next over.