Ishant breathes fire

North Sound, August 24

India lost three wickets in the post-lunch session but still managed to keep their nose ahead of the West Indies on the third day of the first Test. The visitors were 98/3 in 37 overs at the final break of the day. 

India now enjoy an overall lead of 239 runs over West Indies with seven wickets in hand. Skipper Virat Kohli was batting on 36 in the company of Ajinkya Rahane (43). 

Off-spinner Roston Chase was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, picking up two wickets for 42 runs. Opener Mayank Agarwal (16) was the first wicket to fall for India, LBW by Chase in the 14th over. Although TV replays showed the ball was missing the leg-stump, the batsman did not go for the review. KL Rahul (38) and Cheteshwar Pujara (25) added 43 runs for the second wicket to take India forward. Rahul, however, gave away his wicket, bowled by Chase. He went across his stumps while going for a sweep, only to expose the stumps and be bowled when he failed to connect the ball. An over later, Kemar Roach went through Pujara’s defence to reduce India to 81/3. 

Kohli and Rahane played cautiously to get India to tea without any further damage. India took a healthy 75-run first innings lead, which swelled to 89 by lunch on the third day. India bowled out West Indies for 222 in 74.2 overs in their first innings in reply to 297 with Ishant Sharma returning with best figures of 5/43.

Mohammed Shami (2/48) and left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (2/64) scalped two wickets a piece. For West Indies, Chase top-scored with 48, while skipper Jason Holder played a fighting 39-run knock as the hosts failed to build partnerships. 

Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 189/8, Holder and Miguel Cummins stuck together for 103 balls, forging a crucial 41-run partnership for the ninth wicket to take WI close to the Indian total. — PTI

Black armband in memory of Jaitley 

The Indian cricket team wore black armbands as a mark of respect for former union minister and veteran cricket administrator Arun Jaitley, who passed away today after prolonged illness. A former president of the Delhi Districts Cricket Association, Jaitley had been one of the most influential figures in the Indian cricket board as his advice was sought for any decision on policy matters. — PTI