India clinch series win over West Indies after second Test washout

India sealed a 1-0 win over the West Indies after rain brought the second Test to a premature end at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago.

India declared on 181 in the second innings after opening up a commanding lead, setting their opponents a target of 365 to chase.

But rain meant play was suspended and then abandoned on the fifth and final day of action with the West Indies frozen on 76-2. The draw gave India a 1-0 victory, with the sides now set to resume battle over three one-day internationals.

India laid the foundations for a second successive Test victory over their rivals with a solid first innings, highlighted by some strong showings at the top of the order.

The openers – Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Rohit Sharma – formed a strong partnership, combining to score more 139 runs before Jaiswal was caught on 57 by Kirk McKenzie following a Jason Holder delivery.

The next three wickets were quick to fall as the West Indies threatened to take control of the contest at 182-4, but Virat Kohli had other ideas. He scored a Test’s best 121 runs, and together with Ravi Jadeja combined for 159 runs to put India in the ascendency.

The last wicket fell at 438 runs, and although the West Indies made a reasonable start in response, only Kraigg Brathwaite was able to put up more than a half century as they stumbled to 255 all out.

That gave India a comfortable cushion and they built on that in their second innings as they raced to 181-2 before declaring in a bid to clinch a second successive victory.

But it wasn’t to be, as rain once again stole the cricketing headlines. It perhaps spared the West Indies from suffering a whitewash after dropping two early wickets on day four chasing the 365 required to win.

Play in the first session of day five was scrapped but it was hoped there would be some afternoon action as the rain eased. However, despite a couple breaks in the deluge, the second session went the way of the first and the Test was declared a draw.

The two sides will now play each other in three one-day international matches beginning on July 27.

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Heineken Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : Eurosport.co.uk – https://www.eurosport.com/cricket/india-clinch-1-0-series-win-over-west-indies-after-rain-brings-second-test-to-premature-end_sto9716139/story.shtml