Dravid, bowlers script India victory
Kingston: India allowed the West Indies tail-enders to delay the inevitable before wrapping up the first cricket Test with a comfortable 63-run victory inside four days and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series here on Thursday.
Chasing a victory target of 326, West Indies never recovered from the twin-blow dealt by debutant Praveen Kumar dismissing Darren Bravo (41) and Shivanarine Chanderpaul (30) as they were all out for 262 in 68.2 overs.
The final pair of Devendra Bishoo (26, 33 balls, 2×4, 1×6) and Fidel Edwards (15 not out, 54 balls, 1×4) frustrated the Indian bowlers for around 10 overs after lunch. It was Suresh Raina who effected a freak dismissal with the ball rolling onto the stumps after hitting Bishoo’s thigh-pads to bring an end to the proceedings.
It was a clinical performance by the Indian bowlers, backed by a solid batting performance by Rahul Dravid, with Praveen being the pick snaring three for 42 and ending with a six-wicket haul in his very first Test match.
Ishant Sharma (3/81) bowled some poor deliveries but got crucial breakthroughs. The Indians blew away the middle and lower-middle order in the morning session where the home team needing a further 195 for a victory lose six wickets with an addition of 95 runs.
This was India’s second victory at the Sabina Park having clinched the series with a win during their tour of 2006. This is also their fifth overall win on Caribbean soil.
The two teams now travel to Barbados where the second Test match will be held at Kensington Oval from June 28.
It was Praveen’s incisive morning spell that sealed the issue for the Indians after a 68- run stand for the fourth wicket stand between Bravo and Chanderpaul. From 148 for three, the hosts were suddenly struggling at 149 for five.
The track was deteriorating and it was a struggle for survival for the West Indian batsmen. All the lower order batsmen like Ravi Rampaul Bishoo and Edwards showed stomach for fight, it was pity that the top-order didn’t have enough gumption to do so, which cost West Indies the match. (PTI)