WI v IND, 2nd Test: India sniff victory after Siraj 5-wicket haul, rapid Rohit and Ishan fifties on Day 4

By India Today Sports Desk: India moved into a dominant position in the 2nd Test after coming up with an all-round show on Day 4 against the West Indies in Port of Spain on Sunday, July 23. From breaking West Indies’ batting resistance in the first innings to coming up with their own version of Bazball with the bat to score 181 for 2 in just 24 overs and finishing the day with a bit of R Ashwin’s magic, everything went in favour of the visitors even as there were 3 rain interruptions at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

West Indies went to Stumps at 76 for 2 after having batted 32 overs after having been set a 365-run target. R Ashwin got West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite for the 4th time in the series before getting left-hander Kirk McKenzie, the debutant for 0, as India put themselves in a good position to seal a 2-0 series sweep. Ashwin’s wicket of McKenzie also marked the 500th wicket as a pair for the off-spinner and Ravindra Jadeja in Tests.

West Indies vs India, 2nd Test Day 4 Highlights

It was a day of landmarks and personal milestones as well for India as Mohammed Siraj picked up his best career figures of 5 for 50 after which Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma hit their fastest Test fifties, in 35 and 33 balls, respectively.

INDIA BAZBALL ON DAY 4

India showcased incredible urgency with the bat in their second innings as they kept the rain forecast in mind in Port of Spain. A considerable number of overs have been lost due to rain in Port of Spain in the last 3 days and there is a bit of wet weather predicted on Monday, the final day of the 2-match Test series.

Young Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Jermaine Blackwood remained unbeaten as West Indies face an uphill task of saving the Test.

SIRAJ FIERY SPELL

Mohammed Siraj began the dominant display for India on Day 4 securing a career-best five-wicket haul. This was Siraj’s second five-wicket haul in Test cricket, a feat that significantly contributed to West Indies being bowled out for 255. West Indies were 229 for 5 at the start of the day’s play, but they lost their last 5 wickets for just 26 runs.

Siraj’s sizzling spell ran through the West Indies lower-order, ending with figures of five for 50. Siraj, who became only the 7th India pacer to pick up a 5-wcket haul in West Indies, made sure India sealed a healthy lead of 183 runs in the first innings.

The afternoon session saw an aggressive batting display from the Indian side. Openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal scored at more than a run-a-ball, swelling India’s lead past 300. India got to 100 in just 12.2 overs, the fastest team 100 in Test cricket.

Rohit Sharma, known for his explosive batting style, smashed his fastest Test fifty off 35 balls. Following his dismissal, Ishan Kishan, who walked in at No. 4 ahead of Virat Kohli, stepped up to the crease and continued the onslaught, scoring a quickfire half-century.