Venkatsai Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni led India’s run-spree with superb centuries to put their team in command on the second day of the second Test against a hapless West Indies on Tuesday. Middle-order batsman Laxman hit a stylish 176 not out and skipper Dhoni a robust 144 as India posted a massive 631-7 declared in their first innings at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The West Indies faltered in reply, reaching 34-2 when play was called off due to bad light. Kirk Edwards was unbeaten on 12 and Darren Bravo on four not out. Indian seamer Umesh Yadav struck in his first over when he had Adrian Barath (one) caught by Virender Sehwag at second slip before off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin removed Kraigg Brathwaite (17), caught by Gautam Gambhir at short-leg.
Laxman hit 12 fours in his 17th Test hundred, and the fifth at this venue, while Dhoni smashed five sixes and 10 fours in his fifth Test century as India continued to gather runs comfortably against both pace and spin. “It is always a special feeling playing at this venue. Eden Gardens is a great place to play cricket, especially with all the spectators here, even though there are not many this time,” said Laxman, 37. “You get value for your shots. I think this was an important knock from me because it came soon after the tour of England (where India lost 4-0 in Tests).
“The pitch has remained more or less the same, but slightly slower over the past few years. It is a good Test wicket like it should be in India. It may be difficult to play spin on the last day of the match.”
Laxman and Dhoni exposed the West Indies’ bowling limitations on a slow pitch with a 224-run stand for the seventh wicket as the hosts added 285 runs to their overnight total of 346-5.
It was India’s second-highest total in Tests against the West Indies, their best being 644-7 declared at Kanpur in 1979.
It was a demoralising day for the West Indies, who could get just two wickets in more than two sessions as none of their bowlers could trouble Laxman and Dhoni.
Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, paceman Kemar Roach, seamer Darren Sammy and part-time off-spinner Marlon Samuels all conceded more than 100 runs in a mediocre West Indies’ bowling performance. “You have just got to bat the way India batted. It’s a very good batting wicket,” said West Indies team manager Richie Richardson.
“It’s not going to be easy. The Indian bowlers are going to put pressure on us, but I believe we have the ammunition to go out there and bat for the next two days.”
Dhoni dominated the big stand with Laxman with rich strokeplay. He reached his century — his first since February 2010 — in the afternoon with a single to long-off off part-time spinner Brathwaite.
The Indian skipper, caught behind off Roach no-balls when on 13 and 16, punished the spinners as he lofted Bishoo and Samuels over long-on for sixes before hitting Brathwaite for two sixes in an over.
Dhoni was caught behind in the last session immediately after hitting Roach for his fifth six. Laxman, 73 overnight, completed his hundred with an attractive shot, flicking Sammy between mid-on and mid-wicket for a four.
The West Indies relied on fast bowlers Fidel Edwards and Roach in the morning in a bid to put pressure on India, but the duo went wicketless with the second new ball.
The tourists’ lone success in the morning session came when Sammy trapped Yuvraj Singh leg-before for 25 after the batsman had added 50 for the sixth wicket with Laxman.
