Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar again struck early to tighten India’s grip on the third Test as West Indies struggled to 26 for two in their second innings — a deficit of 117 runs — at lunch on Saturday’s fourth day.The Indian new-ball pair removed Kieran Powell for four and fellow opener Adrian Barath for six respectively before the interval at Windsor Park, after the visitors gained a first innings lead of 143. Sharma had Powell caught at third slip, when he edged playing defensively forward, and Kumar had Barath caught at fourth slip, steering a delivery of no great merit to the fielder. Earlier, India’s lower-order batting was again undermined by Fidel Edwards, as the tourists were dismissed for 347 about an hour and 10 minutes before lunch, replying to West Indies’ first innings total of 204.
After a 15-minute delay to the start, India continued from their overnight total of 308 for six, but Edwards claimed three of the last four wickets, finishing with 5-103 from 28.2 overs. It was the second straight innings the West Indies fast bowler claimed that many, and the 10th time in his 46-match career.
Devendra Bishoo took the other scalp to end with 2-125 from 38 overs, and West Indies captain Darren Sammy supported with 2-51 from 28 overs. India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was dismissed for his side’s top score of 74, adding just nine to his overnight total while Kumar made 23.
India hold a 1-0 lead in the three Test series, following a 63-run victory inside four days in the first Test at Sabina Park in Jamaica, and a draw in the second Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados. The visitors are looking to wrap up their second straight Test series victory over West Indies in the Caribbean. They are also looking to create a piece of history by becoming the first Indian side to win a Test and One-day International series in the Caribbean.
