India's most experienced pair now has the task of finishing an assignment set in motion by a debutant. Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, with their latest combined tally of 27,864 runs, were at the crease as the third day of the first Test wound to a close here at the Ferozeshah Kotla Ground.
India scored 152 for two in its second innings, still needing 124 to get past the West Indies and secure a 1-0 series lead.
The path ahead could be tricky, but India's blue-chip batting order has another opportunity to reiterate its credentials that were dented in England. But before the oscillation between past defeats and the promise of a better tomorrow, it has to be acknowledged that India's current winning position is a direct result of R. Ashwin's match-haul of nine for 128, inclusive of an incisive second innings effort — six for 47.
The off-spinner's performance on debut is second only to Narendra Hirwani's 16 for 136 against the West Indies at Chennai (then Madras) in 1988. And Ashwin became the seventh Indian to claim a five-for on debut, though it is the eighth instance as Hirwani bagged eight wickets in each innings at Chennai.
On a day that largely cruised on the contrasting wheels of rapid wickets and steady runs thanks to the West Indies second innings halting at 180, India was set a target of 276. It was a truly challenging signpost, but the pressure of the chase was reduced at the start with Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag latching onto Fidel Edwards's errant length.
Sehwag (55, 5x4, 2x6) enjoyed a reprieve too, on 12, as Ravi Rampaul failed to hold on to a catch on his follow-through and the openers put on 51 runs. Unfortunately, just like in the first innings, the duo failed to build on it.
Gambhir might consider himself unlucky to be adjudged leg before wicket to Marlon Samuels in an over that saw Sehwag strike a six.
Sehwag dished out similar treatment to Devendra Bishoo before chopping Darren Sammy onto his stumps. Dravid and Tendulkar then set forth on their unfinished 57-run third-wicket partnership.
Dravid initially charted risky angles past short cover and short mid-wicket and then settled down. A close run-out appeal in the final few minutes tested his nerves though.
Tendulkar, meanwhile, was strong in defence and ever alert to opportunities. His class was obvious in the manner in which he turned the bat face at the last second to guide Edwards for four.
Tendulkar, with a single off Bishoo, became the first man to post 15,000 Test runs (182nd Test, 300th innings) and indulged in his signature style of glancing at the skies and waving the bat towards the dressing room and crowd, while Dravid and Sammy's men trooped in to shake hands.
India's chances of winning the game, bright at the moment, will depend on Dravid and Tendulkar, either together or as lone rangers, continuing their vigil.
In the morning, the West Indies slumped, though Shivnarine Chanderpaul (47) again tested the Indian bowlers. The slide began when Fidel Edwards edged one behind to Dhoni off Ishant Sharma. The other Edwards — Kirk — inexplicably shouldered arms to an Umesh Yadav delivery that was unerring in its pursuit of the stumps.
Ashwin, who bowled well, stepped in and rapped Darren Bravo on the pads and later, his carrom-ball left Samuels and Sammy with broken stumps. The West Indies, however, found valuable runs through Chanderpaul, who started with two fours off Yadav.
The southpaw and Sammy added 40 runs for the eighth wicket. Ashwin again helped India breathe easy as he trapped Chanderpaul, but Sammy (42) continued to play fearless cricket, as promised in press conferences, until he lost his timber. Ashwin also nipped Ravi Rampaul's cameo and India now awaits victory on Wednesday.
