Rain plays spoilsport on final day of the second Test as India secure series 1-0

The final day of the second Test was washed away with a single ball being bowled as India and West Indies shared the spoils of the match after an intense four-day showdown set up a rollicking fifth day, only for the rain gods to come out and prevent play. Despite a draw in the second Test, India secured the 1-0 series win courtesy of their dominant victory in the first Test.

Batting first on a good surface, it was Virat Kohli’s 29th Test century that set India on course for a dominating display. Rohit Sharma gave them the desired start as he blasted an 80 while Yashasvi Jaiswal played in fine fashion, smashing 57 that helped India to a formidable opening partnership. Despite a wobble in the middle-order, Kohli’s blistering century complemented by Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran’s Ashwin fighting fifties allowed India to pile up 438 runs.

The West Indies batters seemed in decent touch as they didn’t give any free inch to the Indian bowlers for a day and a half. Their top-order looked good while their engine room complemented the openers brilliantly as at the end of the third day’s play they were 229/5.

However, the start of the fourth day flipped the tide in India’s favour as Mohammed Siraj’s sudden onslaught culminated with a mind-boggling fifer that bowled out the hosts for 255, imparting India with a momentous lead of 183 runs. Coming out to bat, the visitors opted for an ultra-aggressive approach as Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan knitted quickfire half-centuries, helping India to secure a lead of 364 when they declared at 181/2.

West Indies had their fair shares of smiles and worries as India dealt a double whammy in quick succession towards the end of day four as the hosts finished at 76/2. From thereon, the rain gods were in no mood to entertain further play as the fifth day was washed out, forcing a stalemate between the two sides.

Mohammed Siraj was awarded the Player of the Match for his fifer which completely shifted the momentum in India’s favour. The focus now shifts towards Barbados where India will be playing their first ODI of the three-match series on July 27.