India will on Saturday go in search of nine wickets in a bid to claim their first victory of a tour of the West Indies against a WICB President’s XI at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts.
Replying to the President’s XI’s 180 all out in the first innings, India through half-centuries from Lokesh Rahul (64 retired out), skipper Virat Kohli (51), and Ravindra Jadeja (56), wracked up 364 to leave them in a strong position with eight overs still to be bowled before the end of play.
For the President’s XI, Rahkeem Cornwall was prolific, bowling 31.4 overs, taking 5 for 118.
The only other wicket takers for the President’s XI were West Indies Under-19 paceman, Chemar Holder (14-1-47-1) and Jason Dawes (13-1-47-1).
Staring a deficit of 184, the President’s XI’s first job was to see out the evening’s play and see what possibilities there were on the final day of the three-day encounter. They fell short of achieving that, with captain Leon Johnson falling for 17 with the final ball of the day’s play.
Johnson’s tally came to an end from a Ravichandran Ashwin delivery, the spinner forcing the opener into a false stroke and taking full advantage of the opportunity for a return catch.
John Campbell will resume on nine, while Shai Hope, who failed in the first innings, will join the opener on Saturday in a bid to save the match.
Cover photo caption: Virat Kohli warmed up for the opening Test with a polished fifty
