2nd Test PICS: India close in on big win over Windies

IMAGES from Day 3 of the second Test between West Indies and India, in Kingston, Jamaica, on Sunday.

• Scorecard

The West Indies, set an improbable 468-run target, were tottering at 45 for 2 in the second innings at close of play on Day 3 of the second Test, in Kingston, Jamaica, on Sunday.

Darren Bravo (18 not out), who looked good at the crease in the closing stages of Day 3 after being knocked on the head by a Jasprit Bumrah beamer, will return on Day 4 with Shamarh Brooks (4 not out) in an attempt to put up some resistance as India close in on victory.

Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami got a wicket each in the West Indies' second innings, taking out openers Kraigg Brathwaite (3) and John Campbell (16).

After the early dismissal of Brathwaite, Campbell tried to forge a fightback along with No. 3 batsman Bravo, but his resistance ended when he was caught at slips by Virat Kohli, poking at a Shami delivery.

Bravo and Brooks had to face some challenging bowling from the Indians before stumps were drawn for the day.

Earlier, India declared at 168 for 4 in 54.4 overs, setting the West Indies 468 for victory.

Ajinkya Rahane (64 not out) and Hanuma Vihari (53 not out) upped the scoring rate after tea, taking on Roach and Cornwall in particular, while also going after Roston Chase as India scored 95 runs in 17.4 overs after tea.

India struggled against top quality fast bowling from the West Indies after not enforcing the follow-on, labouring to 73 for four in their second innings at tea.

The tourists opted to bat again after bowling out the hosts for 117 an hour into the morning session despite gaining a massive 299-run lead.

India, who put up 416 in their first essay, were made to work hard for every run in the second innings on a testing pitch where the West Indian pacers, led Kemar Roach, made the ball talk.

After dismissing opener Mayank Agarwal (5) before lunch, Roach came out firing on all cylinders and removed K L Rahul (6 off 63) and India captain Kohli (0 off 1) off successive balls to be on a hat-trick.

Both were identical deliveries, pitching just outside off-stump before moving slightly away to take the edge.

While it was a rare duck for Kohli, Rahul never really got going before making his way back into the dressing room, leaving India at 36 for three.

Cheteswar Pujara (27 off 66) too found in tough in the middle before West Indies skipper Jason Holder got the better of him with a ball that rose sharply from back of a length, surprising the experienced India batsman who edged it to gully.

The dismissal marked the end of Pujara's tour in which he failed to cross the 30-run mark in four innings, a complete contrast to his series-winning effort in Australia eight months ago.

It was also a forgettable tour for Rahul, whose highest score in four innings was 44. 

India decided against enforcing the follow-on after bowling out the West Indies for 117, despite gaining a massive 299-run lead.

The West Indies, resuming the day at a dismal 87 for seven, batted for 14.1 overs before getting all out for 117 in 47.1 overs.

India, who made 416 in their first innings, were 16 for one at lunch with Kemar Roach removing Agarwal (4) in the fifth over.

Roach provided an early breakthrough for the West Indies by trapping Agarwal in front with a sharp incoming delivery.

Rahul (6 not out off 29 balls) and Pujara (5 not out off 10 balls), both eyeing a big score, were batting at the break.

Lead pacer Roach (17 off 31), like in the series opener, impressed with the bat before falling to Ravindra Jadeja.

Bumrah (6/26) could not add to his overnight wicket tally after becoming the third Indian to take a Test hat-trick.

Jahmar Hamilton (5 off 59) tested the patience of the Indian bowlers before Ishant got rid of him for his sole wicket of the innings.

The first to be dismissed on Day 3 was Rahkeem Cornwall (14 off 31), unable to deal with a well-directed bouncer from Shami and spooning a simple catch to Rahane.   

The West Indies did well to last a little more than an hour in the morning session after showing no application with the bat on Day 2 when Bumrah wreaked havoc.