by Elton Gomes
West Indies finished the first day of the second Test against India at 295/7. At the close of play at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, Roston Chase (98*) was at the forefront of a Windies fightback. Chase was accompanied by his captain, Jason Holder (52).
Chase dominated the third session and ensured that the Windies batting line-up doesn’t get bundled out soon. After batting through 95 overs, the Windies were 295/7, with Devendra Bishoo giving company to Chase.
Kuldeep Yadav (3/74) and Umesh Yadav (3/83) were among the best of the Indian bowlers. The second day could see Chase get to his fourth Test century.
Overview
Roston Chase and Jason Holder scored remarkable half-centuries as the Windies looked eager to bounce back from their loss in the first test. India struck early, but Chase and Shane Dowrich, and even Holder, stayed at the wickets to give some fight to the hosts.
After winning the toss, West Indies decided to bat first, and this worked in their favour. The Windies started off positively with Kraigg Brathwaite slamming Umesh Yadav for a four off the first ball of the Test.
It could not have been a better start for Shardul Thakur, who received his maiden Test cap. However, a groin strain forced him off the field just 10 balls into the game.
R. Ashwin was brought into the attack slightly earlier than unusual, and he wasted no time in taking out Keiron Powell (22), who was caught at covers after attempting a lofted drive.
Shai Hope and Kraigg Brathwaite held the fort for some time before Kuldeep Yadav struck and Brathwaite was trapped right in front of stumps for 14.
After the West Indies were 113 for 5, it seemed that India would have it easy. But, Chase, by far the best for the Windies, along with Dowrich ensure that the Windies show some resolve. The duo added 69 runs for the sixth wicket before Umesh Yadav trapped Dowrich lbw with his trademark in-swinger for 30.
A patient Roston Chase leads the fightback
West Indies batsman Roston Chase said he returned to his areas of strength – being patient and playing the ball on its merit – on the first day of the second Test, which allowed him to play a composed knock.
Chase remained unbeaten on 98 off 174 balls as the Windies showed some signs of improvement compared with the first test.
“I just took my time more than what I did in the first game,” Chase said at the end of the match. “I was in a bit of a rush in the last game where I thought I just went away from my strengths and tried to over-hit the ball. On these fields, that’s not necessary. I was working hard with my coaches and as I said in the press conference, it is about believing in the ability and processes. The results would come,” News 18 reported.
The latest knock extended Chase’s brilliant record against India. He scored a match-saving 137 not out at Kingston two years earlier and had also scored a half-century in the first-innings of the first Test.
Elton Gomes is a staff writer at Qrius