PLAYS OF THE DAY

Day Two was all about India’s tail stretching the agony for West Indies, who were left with their backs to the wall. Here’s a look at the moments that defined it...

DOWRICH’S WAIT JUST GOT LONGER

Playing his third Test, wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich is yet to register a catch. But when that opportunity finally came after keeping wickets for 97 overs, Dowrich made a mess of it. Bowling fast, Shannon Gabriel sent down a fuller delivery that got a thick edge of R Ashwin’s bat when he tried to drive. It was a sitter for Dowrich but the sudden change of direction on the ball after the edge may have confused Dowrich who fumbled and failed to collect it. Ashwin, then batting unbeaten on 43, merrily went on to make his third century against West Indies.

MISHRA AND SHAMI MAKE MERRY

The tone had already been set by R Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha who had hit a huge six but Amit Mishra (in pic) and Mohammed Shami turned the Indian innings into a party of sorts with their no-holds-barred hitting towards the end. Mishra especially looked to swing the bat from the first ball as he raced to his 53 off 68 deliveries. But it was Shami who surprised all with his attitude as he laid into Kraigg Brathwaite’s gentle off-breaks with two huge sixes over his head in the 160th over. He did get a reprieve between those two sixes but Shami didn’t look concerned about that.

KOHLI GOES INTO T20 MODE

Normally a Test captain utilises three bowlers at best when he has 16 overs to bowl. Not Virat Kohli. Eager for a quick breakthrough, Kohli kept aside Amit Mishra and distributed the 16 overs among the rest of his bowling attack. Kohli also tried out a number of fielding combinations, especially for Ashwin who got a short-leg as well as a forward short-leg. It was a hectic period with fielders changing positions, helmets being brought in and even Kohli speaking to the square-leg umpire animatedly at one point of time. Was a nice change of pace after the drab bowling effort of West Indies.