The Test Updates

Most Indians and the continuous sell-out crowd today might have looked forward to seeing Sachin Tendulkar reaching his special milestone in his 22nd attempt but somebody else unexpected stole the show but for India, this might be an uphill task facing a deficit of 189 runs and counting with West Indies finishing the day at 81/2 by the end of day 4 of the Test.

Ravichandran Ashwin reaching 103 in 118 balls

West Indies 590 and 81 for 2 lead India 482 (Ashwin 103, Tendulkar 94, Dravid 82) by 189 runs

Yes, it's Ravichandran Ashwin who has become the first Indian to score a century and take 5 wickets in the same Test match since 1962. 


But first, Tendulkar neither the rest of the players were complacent after an aggressive start with a bouncer in the first session and this shown intent and purpose of the West Indian bowlers hunting down every single batsmen. The pace of the pitch surprised the batsmen and in Fidel Edwards first ball of today's spell, he dismissed VVS Laxman with an edge to gully. Tendulkar was patient and wasn't taking any risks and took shots when neccessary like a straight drive from Ravi Rampaul for a boundary. It was clear then that this was Rampaul v Tendulkar contest in the morning session with the crowd supporting the latter with big buzzing noise around the Wankhede Stadium.


But Rampaul though fulfilled revenge and smashed the mute button when a short ball surprised the Little Master and was edged to Darren Sammy to send Rampaul being on fanatic about dismissing Tendulkar from being tantalisingly close to reaching the magic milestone of 100 Centuries. 


MS Dhoni wasn't much help being cleanly bowled by Darren Sammy leaving India troubled at 331/6 and needing only 49 runs to avoid the follow-on. Kohli and Ashwin played flicks and nudged to gaps rather than to fielders. Ashwin was the more conservative one and Kohli was the one going the aerial route and being at one point dropped in the afternoon session.


Virat Kohli headed to his maiden Test half-century but was heading one step too far trying to clear the mid-on fielder, only to have not cleared enough to hole out the mid-on fielder. Ashwin seeing the situation took action and was one of the more attacking ones by more coommonly taking cuts and nudges from Devendra Bishoo, the spinner. He was more attacking when he was running out of partners, trying to make the most of the balls he has available. In doing this, he had reached his maiden Test Century and broke history books with his achievement of his batting and bowling of his Test. This summed up the month he had being only recently married, winning the Man of the Match award for the previous Test in Kolkata and this before edging the ball to gully to wrap up a good day's work for Marlon Samuels picking off the remaining tailenders and Ravi Rampaul's aggressive approach with the fast pace of the pitch to the batsmen. 


Pragyan Ojha starred in the evening session by dismissing Adrian Barath and Kirk Edwards but Kraigg Braithwaite and centurion Darren Bravo added a 50 partnership using the spin and turn of the pitch to nudge to 81/2 and this is looking at a draw or a close battle in the final day between the 2 sides.