West Indies v India 3rd Test, Day 4 – 5 Memorable Moments

Playing his first Test in a year and a half, Bhuvneshwar Kumar produced a masterful spell with the second new ball to spark new hopes of winning the match for the visitors. After Day 3 was washed out due to rain, chances of a result seemed bleak but Bhubaneswar’s accurate bowling followed by Ajinkya Rahane’s fifty and Rohit Sharma’s quickfire knock has put India right on top and with a lead of 285 runs they will now look to push themselves and give the bowlers the best chance of bowling West Indies out on Day 5.

1. Rain:

The day’s play was affected by rain as it once again spoiled a few overs of the play. Wet outfield didn’t allow the play to start early and compensate for some of the overs lost on the previous day.

2. Bhuvneshwar’s 5-for:

Bhuvneshwar bowled a match-changing spell without a fine leg, long leg or backward square leg. There was no fielder behind square on the leg side. Bhuvi’s spell of 11.4-6-16-5 swung West Indies batting line-up out and handed India a first-innings lead of 128 runs.

It was after India took the second new ball that Bhuvneshwar along with Ravindra Jadeja produced the magic for India. Virat Kohli took the new ball, as soon as it was available, despite Jermaine Blackwood and Marlon Samuels struggling against the spin with the old ball. And the swing bowler immediately proved his captain’s decision right.

Stats and records – West Indies v India 3rd Test, Day 4 – Statistical Highlights

3. Rohit Sharma’s 3 sixes:

There have been a few concerns over Rohit Sharma’s capabilities as an overseas Test cricketer. However, he seemed to have walked on to bat this time with the limited overs mindset and went about business in an aggressive manner.

He scored just 7 runs off his first 27 balls with one four. But in the next 30 balls of he scored 34 runs with 3 sixes at a strike-rate of 113.33. With that, Rohit did what skipper Kohli had brought him for. Score quick runs and make sure the bowlers have enough overs to restrict the opposition.

4. Darren Bravo’s controversial dismissal:

It was an Ishant Sharma bouncer and Darren Bravo top-edged it as he took his eyes off the ball while attempting a pull. He was caught by Ravindra Jadeja at deep fine-leg comfortably.

The umpire believed Ishant had overstepped and thus the third umpire was called in. It was a really close one and replays suggested he might or might not have some part of his foot grounded behind the crease. As they say, ‘Line belong to the umpire’ – the third umpire ruled it in favour of the bowler, may be acting on the new ICC directive to grant the benefit of the doubt to the bowler. The batting team was clearly not happy with the decision as Bravo walked back shaking his head.

Also check out – Twitter Reactions: Bhuvneshwar Kumar rips apart WI top order as Rahane-Rohit give India control

5. Unsung Virat Kohli:

Having a lead of 128 runs, India started off well but the Indian skipper failed to make an impact second time in the Test as he was trapped leg-before-wicket by Miguel Cummins. Kohli played down the wrong line and falls over. However, replays showed the impact was a shade outside off, but the umpire had no doubt in raising the finger to see the back of the Indian skipper.