Dominica, July 10: The third and final Test of the three-match series between India and West Indies, being played at Dominica, ended in a draw after Day 4 suggested a favourable result for the Indians. Shivnarine Chanderpaul was the star for the hosts as his unbeaten knock of 116 helped West Indies prolong their second innings to deny India a win on Day 5.
Resuming from their overnight score of 224 for six, the West Indies had to bat for nearly half the day if they were to force a draw. But when Darren Sammy (17) and Ravi Rampaul (1) made their way back to the pavilion within the first 10 overs of the day, that scenario appeared improbable.
However, Fidel Edwards, batting at No 10, dug his heels in and put on a fighting partnership with the tenacious Chanderpaul. The two batsmen denied the Indian bowlers for 37.0 overs, aggregating just 65 runs in their tenth-wicket stand. Chanderpaul, playing his 133rd Test, even brought up his 23rd century during the partnership, a feat he celebrated with the customary removal of his helmet, getting down on his knees and kissing the wicket.
Edwards (30 off 106 balls) eventually fell to part-time spinner Suresh Raina but not before he had held out for 157 minutes, an achievement properly appreciated by the Dominican spectators with a standing ovation. Ten deliveries later Raina had his second wicket, Devendra Bishoo caught Rahul Dravid at first slip, to finally bring an end to the West Indies innings at 322. Chanderpual remained unbeaten on 116, his innings taking all of 501 minutes over two days.With India needing 180 to win off 47 overs, and a little under an hour left in the post lunch session, a good start was imperative. Ironically, Abhinav Mukund, after a solid 62 in the first innings, was trapped lbw by Fidel Edwards off the first ball of the second innings.
Murali Vijay and Rahul Dravid then consolidated and even upped the scoring rate towards the end of their 73-run partnership. But with Vijay (45) offering a catch to Devendra Bishoo at wide mid-on off Ravi Rampaul’s bowling and Suresh Raina (8), promoted up the order, offering a return catch to Rampaul a couple of overs later, India chose to abandon their quest for the victory target. Rahul Dravid remained unbeaten on 34 as India, comfortable with their 1-0 series win, accepted a draw at 94 for three just before the start of the mandatory 15 overs.
Brief scores: West Indies 1st innings 204 all outin 76.3 overs(Carlton Baugh 60, Ishant Sharma 5/77) and West Indies 2nd innings 322 in 131.3 overs (Shivnarine Chanderpaul 116*, Harbhajan Singh 4/75) draw with India 1stinnings 347 all out in 108.2 overs (MS Dhoni 74, Fidel Edwards 5/103) and India 2nd innings 94 for 3in 32.0 overs (Murali Vijay 45, Ravi Rampaul 2/31)
Man-of-the-Match: Shivnarine Chanderpaul for his gritty knock of 116 not out that helped West Indies draw the Test.
Man-of-the-Series:Ishant Sharma for his 22-wicket haul that helped India record their third ever series win in the Caribbean.
