Uzair Rizvi, BeyondHeadlines
Rain and bad light foiled what was shaping up to be an enterprising finish, as West Indies and India played to a stalemate in the second test at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Chasing 281 for victory, West Indies were 202/7 when fading light ended the contest with 10.3 overs remaining in the day’s play.
- Courtesy: AFp
Darren Bravo stood tall with superb 73, Carlton Baugh, who stroked an attacking unbeaten 46 after he was dropped for naught by skipper Dhoni, helped him out, and opener Barath got 27.
Bravo anchored key half-century stands, posting 54 for fourth wicket with Chanderpaul and 69 for sixth wicket with Baugh.
Fast bowler Ishant Sharma took four wickets in the second innings to complete his first 10-wicket haul and earned him a Man of the Match.
Earlier, India made a bold declaration at 269/6 after losing their overnight batsmen at a quick succession.
A target of 281 left the door open for the hosts to seek a series-levelling victory.
VVS Laxman just fell short of a century for the second time in the match, falling for 87 to add to his 85 in the first innings.
Rahul Dravid scored a well-fought half-century to help India post a fighting total.
Edwards got the ball swinging and picked up five wickets in his important spell forcing MSD to think over his plans.
India got off to a well possible start while defending the total as they took two early Windies wickets.
Ishant raised hopes of winning by picking up Barath (27) immediately after lunch.
Bravo with chanderpaul resisted but an umpiring error cost Windies the wicket of their key batsmen Chaderpaul, who was adjudged leg-before off the bowling of Harbhajan.
India’s hope of dramatic series clinching victory was denied. Their hopes of winning at Kensington Oval remained unfulfilled.
The result-less second test gave an opportunity to the home side to level the series but Dhoni was irked by a draw that came despite his team’s impressive comeback.
The two teams now head to Dominica where the last test starts from 6th July, with India leading the three test match series 1-0.
