Fast bowler Kemar Roach narrowly missed out on a hat-trick as West Indies stalled India’s scoring in the second session, but the home side was still facing a daunting target on the third day of the second Test here Sunday.
At the tea interval, India were 73 for four with Ajinkya Rahane unbeaten on 23 and Hanuma Vihari not out on three.
Chesteshwar Pujara has top-scored with 27 while Roach has taken three for 12 from seven outstanding overs.
India, having earlier secured a 299-run first innings lead after disposing of West Indies for 117, lead overall by 372 runs.
Resuming from 16 for one at lunch, India struggled for runs against accurate Windies bowling, before the game suddenly sprang to life with the first hour approaching at Sabina Park.
KL Rahul had spent 63 balls over his six when he nicked a firm defensive push at one from Roach and was taken by wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton moving to his right.
And off the very next delivery, Roach found the outside edge of captain Virat Kohli’s defensive stroke, giving Hamilton a regulation catch.
Roach almost had a hat-trick when Rahane almost played on first ball, the ball narrowly missing the stumps off the inside edge.
With the wicket of Kohli, the 31-year-old Roach surpassed legendary former fast bowler Sir Wes Hall (192) to be ninth on the list of Windies all-time wicket-takers with 193 scalps.
Fellow seamer Jason Holder then further increased India’s troubles when he had Pujara caught by Shamarh Brooks at third slip. (CMC)
