India on course in second Test vs Windies before rains play spoilsport

Kingston, Aug 3 (IANS) India's wait for an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series against a lacklustre West Indies continued as incessant rains forced an early end to the fourth day's play of the second Test at the Sabina Park here on Tuesday.

A little under 16 overs of play was possible in which the hosts at 48/4 in their second innings managed to push themselves nearly to the brink of yet another embarrassing defeat.

India were on course for another win with the bowlers taking four quick wickets during the rain-curtailed pre-lunch session, but the rains returned just a few minutes before the scheduled resumption of play. No play was possible thereafter, with the day called off.

With the West Indies still trailing by 256 runs, they will try to save the match on day five, with play scheduled to begin at 9.30 a.m. local time and 98 overs to be bowled in the day.

Earlier, Indian bowlers continued to pile up the misery on the hosts, with pacer Mohammed Shami taking two wickets while Ishant Sharma and leg-spinner Amit Mishra scalped one each.

After the start of the match was delayed by an hour and 15 minutes, India removed Rajendra Chandrika (1), who had pacer Sharma's ball kiss his elbow as he tried to leave the ball before it hit the stumps.

Before rain interrupted the play again, India gave away only six runs before heading to the pavilion.

After a 30-minute rain-enforced break, India were again right on the money, even though Kraigg Braithwaite (23) and Darren Bravo (20) showed some resistance. Right-hander Braightwaite skied Mishra and it was followed by a running catch from Lokesh Rahul as the West Indies lost their second wicket for 41 runs.

Afterwards, Shami operated with a probing line and bagged two quick wickets. While veteran right-hander Marlon Samuels was clean bowled after missing the line, left-hander Bravo succumbed to a rising ball, ending up nudging a catch to Rahul at third slip as the West Indies plunged to 48/4.

Jermaine Blackwood was batting on 3 as the ball that dismissed Bravo was the final one before lunch was called.

With India only six wickets away from a victory, Virat Kohli and his men will be hoping for a clear sunny day on Wednesday.

--IANS

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