PORT OF SPAIN, July 23: Mohammed Siraj secured a career-best five-wicket haul with a sizzling spell as India bowled out the West Indies for 255 to take a healthy 183-run first innings lead on day four of the second Test here on Sunday.
Siraj ended with figures of five for 60 in 23.4 overs after running through the West Indies lower-order. The hosts, who resumed the day at 229 for five, lost five wickets for 26 runs in the morning session to concede a huge advantage to India.
The visitors came out all guns blazing in their second innings and were 98 for one in just 12 overs before rain forced early lunch, extending their lead to 281 runs. Rohit Sharma (57 off 44) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (37 batting off 28) batted on T20 mode considering the stage of the game.
Rohit, who was dropped twice during his whirlwind knock, was finally caught at fine leg off Shannon Gabriel towards the end of the morning session. The India skipper brought up his fastest Test fifty off 35 balls.
Siraj, who is the leader of India’s pace attack in the Caribbean in the absence of Mohammed Shami and injured Jasrpit Bumrah, has embraced the responsibility. The West Indies batters found him unplayable as the 29-year-old, like he often does, used the scrambled seam to perfection.
However, it was debutant Mukesh Kumar who triggered the West Indies collapse by trapping southpaw Alick Athanaze (37) in front with an inswinger in the first over of the day. Play began half hour before scheduled time after time was lost due to rain on day three.
Siraj’s first wicket of the day was Jason Holder who fished at a full ball swinging away to be caught behind. Next to depart was Alzarri Joseph, who had little clue about Siraj’s sharp incoming ball and was trapped LBW after India successfully reviewed the on-field call of not out.
Siraj completed his second five wicket haul of his Test career with another quick scrambled seam delivery that was too good for number 11 Gabriel. India came out to bat with an ultra aggressive approach. The first over of the innings went for 11 runs as Jaiswal stepped out to dispatch Kemar Roach over cover for a six before flicking him for a boundary.
Rohit, who smashed three sixes and five fours in his entertaining effort, nonchalantly flicked Roach for his first maximum. It was all timing as the ball sailed over wide long-on. PTI
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