India declare at 588 for 8, Windies reel at 65 for 3

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

St Lucia, Jun 12 (UNI) Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Kaif took the cue from Virender Sehwag and struck individual tons as India declared their first innings at a massive 588 for eight and then reduced the hosts to 65 for three to tighten the noose around the West Indies neck on day two of the second Test here.

With a mountain to climb and needing 389 to avoid follow on, the hosts were reeling at 65 for three and their skipper Brian Lara is already cooling his heels in the pavilion. Incidentally all three West Indian batsmen fell to leg before decisions.

After play resumed following a rain delay, Munaf Patel rocked the hosts with a double burst and trapped Daren Ganga (16) and the in-form Ramnaresh Sarwan (0) in successive deliveries.

Things went horribly wrong for the hosts as India's old warhorse Anil Kumble had Lara plumb in front and only Chris Gayle (34 not out) stood tall amid ruins as West Indies struggled to keep its nose above water.

Earlier, it continued to rain runs for India in the post-lunch session as Kaif joined the centurian's club with his maiden Test hundred. Kaif had played 10 Test matches before without a century.

The closest he came was when he scored 91. But this time Kaif not only reached his first Test hundred after lunch, he went on batting for long to remain not out on 148. This would certainly rank as Kaif's best Test innings that was peppered with 12 boundaries.

After lunch, India looked to increase the momentum and the team looked to Mahendra Singh Dhoni to deliver the killer punch. But Lara had the field spread out for Dhoni right from the beginning and some tight bowling kept the Indian keeper under tight leash.

Dhoni tried to break off but only managed to hole out to Daren Ganga off Ian Bradshaw. Ganga took the catch of Irfan Pathan too, this time off Gayle, too prevent the Indians from running amok post-lunch.

But the wickets came few and far between and a resolute Kaif made sure that India went to tea with three wickets in hand.

Earlier, skipper Rahul Dravid had departed two deliveries before lunch on the second day but not before India had reached dominating position. At lunch, India were 485 for five and Dravid was out for 146.

More UNI XC AY DB1031

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