Windies hold India to a draw in final Test

India and the West Indies ended the third final test match in a draw but India won the series 2-0. India chased 243 for victory but ended at 242 for 9 as the overs ended. In the last over that Fidel Edwards bowled he kept it very tight and two runs were needed from the last ball for an Indian victory but man of the match and man of the series Ravichandran Ashwin was run out the last ball after 1 run was scored pushing India to 242 for 9 Ashwin topped the series in wickets, he picked up 22 from the three test matches. Left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha picked up 20 wickets. For the West Indies Marlon Samuels ended with figures of 250-93-2, Davendra Bishoo 16-0-65-2, Ravi Rampaul 46-1-56-3 and Fidel Edwards 7-0-28-1.

Note: Man of the series Ravichandran ashwin from India.

Darren Bravo

Slams 166 as

Windes Score 590

West Indies batting lighted up as six batsmen passed the half century mark. Darren Bravo top scored with a swashbuckling 166, Krieran Powell 81, Kirk Edwards 86, Kraigg Barathwaite 68, Marlon Samuels 61 and Adrian Barath 62. Some key partnerships were shared with Darren Bravo. Kirk Edwards and Darren Bravo shared a partnership of 164 runs for the third wicket with Kirk Edwards. Openers Adrian Barathwaite put up a stand of 137. Darren Barvo and Kieran Powell a stand stand of 160 runs.

India Bowled Out

for 482 Runs

India batsmens truck back at the West Indies with five half centuries which included a century from one of their premeir spinners Ravichandran Ashwin who scored 103. Sachin Tendulkar 94, Rahul Dravid 82, Gautham Gambhir with a first innings lead of 109 runs in taking control of the test match.

West Indies

Bowled Out for

134 Runs in 57.2 Overs

After losing two quick wickets in the second innings the West Indies regained some comfort at 81 for 2. Overnight with Darren Bravo and Kraigg Brathwaite at the wicket. Pragyan Ojha removed both Brathwaite and Bravo early in the morning session and left the West Indies struggling at 112 for 4 and 134 all out in 57.2 overs. Kraigg Braithwaite scored 35 and Darren Bravo 48. Pragyan Ojha picked up six of the West Indies wickets in the second innings. His figures were 27-5-47-6. Ravichandran Ashwin figures were 15.2-0-34-4. India were left to score 243 for victory.

Windies Must Strengthen Vital Areas

In test cricket four specialist bowlers are chosen to take most of the wickets. It is a responsibility and all concerned must act upon and deliver. Test cricket has little availability for makeshift and part time bowlers. All of the four bowlers must share the burden of the responsibility of taking twenty wickets at the most economic cost possible.

Too Much Pressure

on Marlon Samuels

Marlon Samuls is recognized as one of the specialist batsmen in the West Indies team and that is what Mr. Samuels must be mostly focused on, not bowling twelve and fifteen overs in an innings in a test match and four specialist bowlers are in the team. Rampaul, Bishoo, Sammy and Edwards are in the team because they are chosen as specialist bowlers and those four bowlers must do the job. If the necessity exist for a specialist spinner then bring in a specialist spinner and Marlon Samuels to concentrate fully on his batting.

Devendra Bishoo:

Expensive as Expected

India is a greater opposition than Bangladesh but with a better strategy the West Indies would have given India much more tougher opposition. Bishoo is not the bowler for long constant spells, he should be used very frequently but not for marathon distances. Bishoo is most effective on and off, he has a tendency of bowling long ups and pitching too short when he is allowed to bowl over nine or ten overs continuously. Carlton Baugh need to make the way clear for Denesh Ramdin, Baugh’s failure with the bat has been a major problem for the team. The experience certain players have developed will bear fruits in th future for the West Indies team. Darren Bravo and Kirk Edwards have shown their qualities but they have the responsibility of building on their performances. Fidel Edwards need a quicker bowler to accompany him in the early overs. Ravi Rampaul is not a starter among fast bowlers, he remains vital importance to the squad because he picks off wickets. I again appeal for the return of Chris Gayle to accompany Adrian Barath in opening position.