Photos: Dravid, Tendulkar lead India's strong reply

Virender Sehwag (37) began in typical explosive fashion, hitting three fours and a six, before he was bowled by West Indies captain Darren Sammy on day three of the third and final Test in Mumbai, on Thursday.

Earlier, India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin completed his second five-wicket haul in three Tests as West Indies, resuming on 575 for nine, were bowled out for 590. Ashwin, 25, who grabbed a maiden five-wicket haul on his debut in the first Test in Delhi, finished with five for 156 from 52.1 overs.

Gautam Gambhir hit eight boundaries in his breezy knock of 55 before he edged to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh after trying to hook a high bouncer by paceman Ravi Rampaul.

The left-handed opener was optimistic India could still make it a 3-0 series whitewash.

"We all know things change very quickly in India and especially on red soil once the ball starts turning," Gambhir said. "We still feel there is a chance of winning the Test match rather than just saving it.

"We've got two quality spinners in our line-up and once the ball starts turning it's very difficult for the opposition to handle."

After giving lukewarm response in the first two days, Mumbai's cricket fans made a beeline for entry into the Wankhede Stadium, on Thursday, in anticipation of Sachin Tendulkar coming out to bat and score his 100th international hundred.

Long queues of fans were seen outside the ticket counters of the Mumbai Cricket Association at the adjacent Mumbai Hockey Association premises more than an hour before the start of play on day three of the match.

Police personnel and the private security guards employed by the MCA, after two days' of lull, had to swing into action to control the crowd and allow for smooth entry into the 33,000-capacity stadium that had been revamped ahead of the World Cup held earlier this year.

Rahul Dravid continued his golden run with the bat as he became the second batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to reach 13,000 runs in Tests, and also brought up 1,000 runs in the calendar year, on his way to his 62nd half-century.

He added 86 runs for the third wicket with Tendulkar before being clean bowled while attempting to cut part-time spinner Marlon Samuels.

Tendulkar was on course for his 100th international century to lead India's strong reply.

The hosts were 281 for three at the close of the third day with Tendulkar (67) and VVS Laxman (32) at the crease.

The 38-year-old Tendulkar, with 51 centuries in Tests and 48 in one-dayers, needs one more to get to the coveted ton that has eluded him since he last made three figures in the 50-over World Cup in April.

Playing in front of a 20,000 crowd at his home Wankhede Stadium ground, the master batsman hit five boundaries and a six as he added 57 for the fourth wicket with Laxman.