Rahul gives India a lead in Jamaica

Kingston (Jamaica) (AFP) – Lokesh Rahul’s determined unbeaten 150 took India to 259 for two at tea in reply to the West Indies first innings total of 196 on the second day of the second Test at Sabina Park in Jamaica on Sunday.

Taking on a bowling attack that remains disciplined but lacking penetration through three sessions of play, the tourists continued to make steady progress in adding a further 74 runs in the afternoon period of play for the loss of the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara.

Seemingly well entrenched and with an eye to emulating Rahul’s marathon effort, Pujara got to 46 off 159 deliveries when he was run out at the non-striker’s end by Roston Chase’s direct hit from square-leg midway through the afternoon.

His second-wicket partnership with the opening batsman was worth 121 runs and has given the new man at the wicket, Virat Kohli, a formidable platform on which to build India’s advantage heading into the final session of the day.

Fresh from a career-best 200 in the first Test in Antigua, which the visitors won by an innings and 92 runs inside four days, the Indian captain reached the interval on 21 in a third-wicket stand with Rahul already worth 51 runs.

West Indies went wicketless through the morning session with the overnight pair of Rahul and Pujara proceeding at a pedestrian pace, putting on 59 runs in the two hours of play.

It was a period when play meandered along, the exception being the moment Rahul reached his third Test century, hoisting the part-time off spin of Roston Chase over wide long-on for the first six of the innings. 

He hinted at a significant acceleration of scoring with two more sixes at the start of the afternoon session, but once again remained restrained and disciplined in continuing to grind out the runs at the expense of a limited and tiring West Indies attack.

By the time he walked off the field at the tea interval, Rahul had spent just over six-and-a-half hours at the crease in facing 289 balls, stroking 13 fours to add to the three sixes.

West Indies were expected to take the second new ball immediately on the resumption of play after tea in pursuit of the breakthrough necessary to halt India’s quest for a huge first innings advantage.