India just one wicket away

Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma sent West Indies crashing to 74 for nine on the final session of the fourth day after Indian captain Virat Kohli declared his team’s second innings to set the home side an improbable victory target of 419 in the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Sunday.

The West Indies had crashed to 82 for nine at the time this report was filed.

After Ajinkya Rahane completed his tenth Test hundred and Hanuma Vihari fell seven runs short of his maiden Test century in a total of 343 for seven, Bumrah and Sharma were utterly devastating against batsmen who appeared ill-equipped to cope with quality fast bowling.

Bumrah got a scintillating five-for, which came at the expense of a paltry seven runs.  He was first to strike, extending Kraigg Brathwaite’s run of low scores before scattering the stumps of opening partner John Campbell and senior batsman Darren Bravo.

He came back with later, removing Shai Hope and captain Jason Holder.

Sharma, who led the India attack with five wickets in the first innings, and Mohammad Shami got two wickets each.

SCORES IN BRIEF

INDIA: First innings 297 and second innings 343 for 7 decl

WEST INDIES: First innings 222 and 82 for nine (Chase 12; Sharma 2-25, Bumrah 5-7, Shami 2-1)