India reduced to 413/7, lead by 231 (Tea Report)

Mumbai, Nov 15 (IANS) India suffered a batting collapse after legend Sachin Tendulkar was denied a century in his farewell Test but extended the first innings lead to 231 runs at tea on day two of their second cricket Test against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium here Friday.

India, who were comfortably placed at 282 for three at lunch, lost four wickets for 94 runs in the second session but it was a fine 113 by Cheteshwar Pujara that took them to 413 for seven at tea.

Rohit Sharma was batting on 44 and Bhuvneshwar Kumar on four at the tea break.

Resuming in the morning at 157 for two, India first rode on the 144-run stand for the third wicket between Tendulkar (74) and Pujara, whose fine century was completely overshadowed by the batting maestro’s 68th half-century in Tests.

Pujara was also involved in an aggressive partnership with Virat Kohli, who scored a brisk 57 off 78 balls hitting five fours. While Pujara held one end up, Kohli took the attack to the West Indies with some exquisite stroke play.

Kohli fell soon after the break, trying to defend Shane Shillingford but edging the ball to Darren Sammy at first slip. Pujara, who struck 12 fours in his 167 ball innings, became Shilingford’s fourth victim giving a simple return catch to the spinner.

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (4) looked in trouble from the outset against Tino Best and was finally dismissed by the pacer as a leading edge managed to find Darren Sammy.

Rohit then joined forces with Ravichandran Ashwin (30) to plunder the West Indies bowling. Ashwin hit four fours and a six during his short stay but departed in his attempt to pull Shannon Gabriel.

Earlier, fans filled up the Wankhede early in the day, anticipating a big knock from Tendulkar in his swansong match. The master blaster, who was on 38 overnight, enthralled the packed stadium with another 36 runs.

Tendulkar was in supreme touch and looked determined to get his 52nd Test century, second at this venue — handpicked by him for his farewell. His first and only Test century at the Wankhede was way back in 1997, a fine 148 against the Sri Lankans in the first innings.

Both Tendulkar and Pujara looked at ease in the pre-lunch session.

It was the introduction of Deonarine after drinks that did the trick for the West Indies. The part-time off-spinner dismissed Tendulkar with his fifth ball for what would remain the most cherished wicket of his career.