KOLKATA – Trinidadian Darren Bravo’s attractive 136 failed to save West Indies from a heavy defeat as India completed a series-clinching victory eight minutes before tea on the fourth day of the second cricket Test at Eden Gardens today.
Paceman Umesh Yadav took four wickets while Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha and Ravichandran Ashwin added two apiece to help the hosts dismiss West Indies for 463 to win the match by an innings and 15 runs and claim an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The second innings was a stark contrast to the meek surrender in the first when the tourists were skittled out for 153 in response to India’s 631 for seven declared and had to follow-on.
Left-hander Bravo made his second Test hundred and added 132 for the fifth wicket with Marlon Samuels, who made a return to form with a battling 84 after a shaky start.
He hit 16 fours and four sixes and reached three figures with two boundaries in one Yadav over.
The 22-year-old Bravo had earlier put on 108 for the fourth wicket with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who made 47 before chopping Yadav on to his stumps four overs after the new ball was taken in the morning.
Bravo’s dismissal sparked a collapse that saw the final six wickets falling for 62 runs, including Samuels, who had struck 13 fours and a six before he was out leg before wicket to off-spinner Ashwin.
“I’d like to commend the guys in the second innings and if we put two innings together we can pose a challenge to other teams,” West Indies skipper Darren Sammy said after the match.
“It was a good fight in the second innings. India showed us how to bat on this track and it called for application.”
The third and final Test in Mumbai starts on Tuesday. (REUTERS/EZS)
