Thaindian News

Mumbai, Nov 22 (IANS) Opening batsmen Adrian Barath and Kraigg Brathwaite gave the West Indies a good start with their century-run stand but both departed in the post-lunch session on the first day of the third and the final cricket Test at the Wankhede Stadium here Tuesday.

The West Indies were 161 for two at the tea break with Kirk Edwards batting on 13 and Darren Bravo on four as 81 runs were scored in the second session. Barath (62) and Brathwaite (68) were the two wickets to fall and both were picked up by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shortly before the tea break.

Barath (148 balls, 8×4) and Brathwaite (184, 8×4) gave the West Indies a solid start with their 137-run stand, the best for the Caribbean side in five years. The duo adopted a cautious approach as the West Indies made 80 for no loss in the morning session, after captain Darren Sammy won the toss on a surface that had some assistance for the medium pacers.

Indian pacers Ishant Sharma and debutant Varun Aaron, who replaced Umesh Yadav, could purchase little sideways movement from the track and the ball was changed in the fourth over after it went out of shape.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni introduced spin as early as in the ninth over with left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha. But the West Indies batsmen were cautious and played defensively.

The visitors were in complete control as they crossed the 100-run mark. Brathwaite, who survived two dropped chances, got his half-century by cutting Ojha for a boundary.

At a time when the partnership looked dangerous, Ashwin struck in his 15th over and Dhoni took a good bat-pad catch to get rid of Barath. The wicket lifted the spirit of the Indian team and Ashwin removed Brathwaite again bat-pad, this time caught by Virat Kohli.

The West Indies are without their most experienced batsman Shivnaraine Chanderpaul, who has been ruled out with a calf muscle injury. India are leading the three-match series 2-0 and are eyeing a clean sweep at the Wankhede.