West Indies’ batters showcase resilience to leave the second Test in balance at Stumps on Day 3

It wasn’t exactly one of the finest days of cricket that the Indian cricket team has recently savoured but at the end of the third day’s play, the visitors would be happy with where they have West Indies placed. Starting the day at 86/1, the Islanders treaded very cautiously as India had their own share of struggles to try and get in the right groove.

As an incoming Kirk McKenzie showed a fair bit of resilience, it was debutant Mukesh Kumar who had the first laugh of the day for India, producing a sharp nick, comfortably pouched by Ishan Kishan, packing McKenzie back for a paltry 32.

Another 40-run stand between Kraigg Brathwaite and Jermaine Blackwood started to intensify the frowns on the Indian faces but Ravichandran Ashwin emerged as the messiah this time, sneaking through the defences of the Caribbean skipper as he departed for 75.

Blackwood’s shard of resilience was cleaned without much fuss as he was foxed by Ravindra Jadeja, holing out to Ajinkya Rahane to depart for 20. Mohammed Siraj picked the last wicket that fell for India as he scalped Joshua da Silva for a second consecutive time, knocking down his stumps for 10.

West Indies finished things off on day three at 229/5 while the rain also had its fair share of say, halting quite some bit of the game. With the West Indies batters proving their worth, India would be desperate to get a couple of early wickets on day four if they are to make it two out of two in their opening bilateral affair in the WTC 2023-25 cycle.