Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Rahul Dravid


Rahul Dravid's 32nd Test century on Wednesday ensured that West Indies will chase a target of 326 run to win the first Test here at the Sabina Park.
Amit Mishra (28) provided the much-needed support to Dravid after Darren Sammy struck twice in one over after lunch to reduce India to 183/8.
Sammy's in-cutter hit Harbhajan Singh (5) over his knee roll but umpire Daryl Harper raised his finger after a little thought.
Had the much contentious Decision Referral System (DRS) been used in the series and if Harbhajan had used it, he would have been given not out as the ball was going over the top of the stump as shown by the TV replays.
The West Indies captain then clean bowled Praveen Kumar, who tried to play a flick to a well-pitched delivery. Kumar failed to open his account.
Mishra joined Dravid in the middle and ensured that the 38-year-old veteran complete his century.
Dravid was the last man to get out when he tried to hit another six off Devendra Bishoo, thus giving a simple catch to Ramnaresh Sarwan at mid-on.
Sammy and Bishoo took four wickets each in India's second innings, while Fidel Edwards and Ravi Rampaul also chipped in with a wicket each.
Earlier, India went into lunch with 166/6, losing the wickets of Suresh Raina (26) and MS Dhoni (16) just before the break.
Both the batsmen were scalped by Devendra Bishoo, who bowled brilliantly despite having a sore knee.
Rahul Dravid and Raina shared a 48-run stand for the fifth-wicket that helped India recover from the early loss of Virat Kohli.
While 38-year-old Dravid reached his laborious fifty in 139 balls, Raina made sure that the strike was rotated at a regular interval.
India got an early jolt when Kohli (15) was caught behind off the bowling of Fidel Edwards early on the third morning.
The ball, which was going down the leg side, kissed Kohli's bat before settling into the gloves of wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh.
Raina, after providing the much-needed support to Dravid, fell to Bishoo. He was caught at leg slip while trying to sweep a straight delivery of the leg-spinner.
Dhoni oozed positive intent from the time he arrived at 148-5, lashing a six and a four off Bishoo. But after reaching a run-a-ball 16, India's captain slapped a short ball from Bishoo straight to cover on the stroke of lunch.
Earlier, India came out to strengthen their 164-run lead and close in on their chances to beat the home side inside five days.
The visitors started the day from 91/3 with Rahul Dravid (45) and Virat Kohli (14) were the not out batsmen.
India bowled West Indies out for just 173 before tea on Tuesday, taking a crucial 73-run fist innings lead.
Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar shared six wickets between them, while Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra contributed with two wickets each.

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