On yet another day at Queen’s Park Oval disrupted by rain, Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan moved into T20 gear to prepare India for their victory push.
Before a promoted Kishan performed a nearly flawless impression of Rishabh Pant with a 33-ball fifty, Rohit struck a 35-ball half-century, the fastest of his Test career, as India set West Indies 365.
On a pitch in Port-of-Spain that proved more receptive to the spinners, the hosts ended the day at 76 for 2. India will need to raise their game if they are to defeat the West Indies and the weather, both of which are expected to be quite gloomy on Monday.
Yashasvi Jaiswal down-the-track six over extra cover off the opening over, bowled by Kemar Roach, was a sign of the devastation that was to come. Rohit lifted him over the midwicket boundary with more passion in Roach’s following over.
Rohit had a lucky life; at the ages of 25 and 29, Shannon Gabriel and Kirk McKenzie both dropped him. Both opportunities were quite simple, bringing West Indies’ careless fielding into stark relief once more.
West Indies had several missed opportunities on the field during the ODI World Cup qualifier in June–July, earning the label of “worst fielding side” worldwide from white-ball coach Daren Sammy.
On Sunday, Rohit made the West Indies pay before he was finally caught at fine leg, where Alzarri Joseph didn’t miss it up. As soon as it was known, Jaiswal’s contribution to India’s 100-over run in 12.2 overs set a record for the fastest team hundred in Test cricket.
In an attempt to boost the ante even further, Jaiswal ended up skying a slog-sweep off Jomel Warrican to the wicketkeeper for 38 off 30 balls. Due to bad weather, the afternoon session was only allowed three overs; however, as the sun came out, Kishan successfully slog-swept Warrican to the midwicket boundary.
Additionally, Kishan flat-batted Warrican over his head before launching one-handed sixes a la Pant. As soon as Kishan smashed one of these one-handed sixes to get his fifty, Rohit proclaimed India’s second innings to be 181 for 2 in 24 overs. Shubman Gill contributed to the total with an unbeaten 29 off 37 balls.
Mohammed Siraj, who had dismissed West Indies for 255 after bowling them out for 229 for 5 in their first innings when they were 229 for 5, was also responsible for India’s ability to push for a victory. The inexperienced speed attack of India was led by Siraj, who delivered on his promise and recorded career-best figures of 5 for 60 in difficult circumstances.
Alick Athanaze was caught lbw by debutant Mukesh Kumar after being struck by an inswinger from over the wicket during the opening over of the day.
Athanaze instantly requested a review after receiving the call from on-field umpire Marais Erasmus, but Hawk-Eye suggested that it would have only clipped the leg stump. Considering that ball-tracking also confirmed the umpire’s call on impact, Athanaze may consider himself a little unlucky.
After tricking Jason Holder into playing for the inside edge in the subsequent over, Siraj moved outside of the crease and caused the ball to swing away and kiss the edge. Using his outswinger and wobble-seam inducker, Siraj then started to cut off the tail. When he returned, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey greeted him warmly and escorted India’s team off the field.
West Indies were bowled out in their first innings on the fourth morning against India in less than eight overs and under an hour. But in a lengthy post-tea session, India didn’t get as much swing as it may have. Siraj and company did lessen their lengths, but Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul were up to the challenge.
With drives and punches to Siraj for fours, Brathwaite was busier than he was during West Indies’ opening innings. Chanderpaul used 62 balls without a boundary and 21 balls on 2, but he appeared unconcerned for the most part.
The first partnership, though, came to an end when Ashwin, in his fourth over, caught Brathwaite splicing a sweep to short fine leg for 38. After altering his angle to round the wicket in his subsequent over, Ashwin instantly caught McKenzie for a duck.
Although Chanderpaul and Jermaine Blackwood guided West Indies to stumps without suffering any additional loss, Ravindra Jadeja also extracted a strong turn.