India clinched the three-Test series against the West Indies after crushing the hapless visitors by an innings and 15 runs on the fourth day of the second Test in Kolkata on Thursday.
The victory gave them an unassailable 2-0 lead.
The West Indies put up a strong fightback in their second innings, with Darren Bravo (136) slamming a superb century. However, that was not enough, as the Indian bowlers grabbed six wickets in the post-lunch session to wrap the match on the fourth day at the Eden Gardens.
The match ended with more than four sessions to spare, just like the first Test, in New Delhi, where India beat the visitors by five wickets.
The two sides now travel to Mumbai for the third Test, which begins on November 22.
- Congratulate the Indian Team
In contrast to their first innings collapse, the West Indies, after being asked to follow-on, put up a valiant fight before being bundled out for 463 in 126.3 overs, eight minutes before the scheduled tea break.
At one stage, the West Indies were staring at their biggest ever loss against India (an innings and 112 runs, Mumbai 2002), but Bravo weaved two century partnerships -- with Chanderpaul (108 runs) and Marlon Samuels (132) -- to save his side from the dubious record.
Resuming at his overnight score of 38, Bravo came up with a superb batting display to notch his second Test century in less than a month, both coming in second innings. He hit 16 boundaries and four sixes in his innings, off 230 balls.
For India, pacer Umesh Yadav was the most successful bowler, claiming three wickets on Thursday, to return with innings figures of four for 80, while the spin duo of Pragyan Ojha (2-104) and R Ashwin (2-137) claimed the other wickets.
Pacer Ishant Sharma (2-95) had claimed two wickets on Wednesday.
Morning session (144 runs, 36 overs, 1 wicket)
Following-on after conceding a huge 478-run lead in the first innings, the West Indies were 339 four at lunch.
Bravo went into the break unbeaten on 117, registering only his second century in Test matches in less than a month. He hit 13 boundaries and four sixes during his 204-ball unconquered stay at the crease.
He shared a vital 108 runs for the fourth wicket with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (47) in the first session of the day that had little for the Indian bowlers.
Yadav (2-68) scalped the only wicket for India when he castled Chanderpaul in the one-and-a-half hour extended morning session, in which the visitors scored 144 runs from 36 overs.
But after Chanderpaul's wicket, Marlon Samuels gave Bravo good company and was unbeaten on a quickfire 31 (42b, 6x4).
The Caribbean side still needed 139 with six wickets in hand to make India bat again in the match. It was a tough grind for the Indian bowlers in the morning as Bravo and Chanderpaul played sensible cricket after the spin duo of Pragyan Ojha and R Ashwin opened the bowling with the hope of exploiting the early morning conditions.
Resuming at the overnight score of 195 for three, the two West Indian left-handers were at ease against the young Indian spinners and kept the scoreboard ticking with occasional boundaries.
Barring one mix-up between the two batsmen, there was hardly anything for the Indians in the morning. There was confusion between the duo when Bravo came rushing at the non-striking end after playing one to mid-on even as Chanderpual was unmoved.
But India made a mess of the chance, as Gambhir's throw to Dhoni was wayward and the Indian skipper had to come ahead four-five paces to collect the ball, which gave Bravo amply time to reach home safely.
Having survived the run-out chance on 54, Bravo grew in confidence and took charge against the Indian spin duo. He hit Ashwin for a six over his head and followed it up with a boundary off Ojha in the next over.
With the tourists looking good on 249 for three, India took the new ball in the 81st over, and it resulted in the breakthrough.
In the fourth over after taking the new ball, India broke the dangerous-looking fourth-wicket partnership when Chanderpaul played on a Yadav delivery.
The dismissal, however, did very little to disturb Bravo's concentration as he notched his second Test century with a boundary of Yadav.
Earlier, India had declared their first innings at 631 for seven in the post-tea session on day two after electing to bat.
In reply, the West Indies collapsed for mere 153 runs in 48 overs in their first essay, handing India a 478-run lead.
© 2024 Rediff.com -