India were held to a draw by West Indies as their batsman showed a valiant batting display on the last day. Roston Chase became the first player in 50 years to score a century and take five wickets in a single Test mach for the Caribbeans.
After getting out cheaply in the first innings for 196, they were on the back foot throughout the match. Their top order struggled once again but Marlon Samuels and Jermaine Blackwood stringed a partnership together for while. Blackwood, who went onto score 50s in both the innings, scored a brisk 62 in the first innings. But then came the magical spell of R Ashwin who wrapped up the lower order batsman picking up five wickets yet again and quickly putting India in a strong position.
India started off their innings well as Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul had an opening stand of 87. After Shikhar Dhawan’s dismissal, KL Rahul held one end up and made some crucial partnerships with the likes of Pujara and Kohli. Pujara and Kohli got starts and scored 40 odd each but could not capitalize on to it. KL Rahul went on to score 158 before getting caught behind. KL Rahul grabbed his opportunity with both hands putting up a decent score after coming in for M Vijay for this Test.
Ajinkya Rahane played an excellent hand of 108* to lead India to a huge total, with contributions from Saha and and Amit Mishra in the lower order. It was Rahane’s seventh Test hundred, six of them coming in different countries. Roston Chase was the pick of the bowlers picking up a five-wicket haul in the innings. India went on score 500 and then Virat Kohli decided to declare the innings.
India began the second innings well picking up four wickets till the end of the 4th day and were in total control of the match. But West Indies came out with an attacking approach on the fifth day to defend the match. Firstly Dorwich and Chase put on a fantastic partnership in the first session to leave Indian bowlers and captain Virat Kohli clueless. But then Amit Mishra provided a breakthrough as he removed Dorwich. Dorwich was very unlucky to be wrongly given LBW as there was an inside edge when he was given leg before wicket.
Roston Chase continued his incredible innings and got to his maiden test hundred. Captain Jason Holder gave Chase support and took his side to a draw. It was a great escape and brilliant performance from the West Indies on the last day as they held their composure preventing India’s victory. Indian bowlers looked ineffective on the last day as the pitch had little help for the bowlers.
Roston Chase for his all round skills was named the man of the match. India lead the 4 match series 1-0.