WI vs IND: India clinch Test series as rain plays spoilsport on Day 5 in Trinidad
Day 5 of the second Test between the West Indies and India came with big disappointment for the visitors, as no play was featured throughout the day due to the rain playing spoilsport. Throughout the day, it was raining and showed no signs of slowing down. The Windies, who were chasing a target of 365 runs in the second innings, did not get a chance to bat as the match was eventually drawn.
Just like the first Test in Dominica, team India dominated the proceedings in the second Test as well. Batting first, India posted a mammoth score of 438 runs on the board in the first innings. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma propelled the visitors to a magnificent start to the game. Jaiswal scored 57 runs, whereas Rohit amassed 80. Furthermore, with Virat Kohli’s knock of 121 runs alongside Ravindra Jadeja’s 61 and Ashwin’s 56-run knock, India were able to post a big total on the board.
Looking to minimize their trail as much as possible, the Windies did put forth an improved performance as compared to that of the first Test. However, star pacer Mohammed Siraj was absolutely sensational with the ball. Completing his five-wicket haul, Siraj’s spell was crucial in bundling the Windies out for 255 runs in the first innings. Kraigg Brathwaite’s 75-run knock, along with the joint effort by the middle order, helped the hosts improve with the bat.
As the second innings came about, the Indian team showcased an explosive performance with the bat, as half-centuries by Rohit Sharma and Ishan helped them notch 181 runs on the board and then declare their innings, thus giving a target of 365 runs to chase down for the Windies.
However, it was not going to be easy for the hosts as Ravichandran Ashwin struck early in the second innings, dismissing Kirk McKenzie and skipper Kraigg Brathwaite in the latter stages of Day 4. The Windies found themselves at a score of 76 runs with the loss of two wickets by the time Day 4 ended, and they hoped for more character from the players on Day 5. However, as rain disrupted play, they weren’t able to do that, and the match was drawn.
