Former India skipper Virat Kohli played like there was a monkey off his back as he completed his 76th international ton in his 500th international match on Day 2 of the second Test between India and West Indies on Saturday (July 22) morning. Riding on his 121, India posted a massive total of 438 for the home side to chase down in the first innings.
India started Day 2 on 288/4 with Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja on the pitch. Soon after the start of the day's play, Kohli reached his 29th Test century, equalling legendary Australian batter Don Bradman’s tally. It took him 180 deliveries to reach his 12th international hundred against West Indies, coming off a boundary against Shannon Gabriel's bowling.
In the same over, Jadeja got to his half-century from 105 balls and celebrated it by showcasing his sword-swishing tricks. A few overs after the drinks break, one of the rarest things happened. Kohli got run out trying to sneak a quick single. Alzarri Joseph hit the stumps from square leg to catch Kohli short of the crease. This was only the third time Kohli got run out in his Test career.
The duo shared a 159-run partnership but eventually Kemar Roach ended Jadeja's stay at the crease. It came when the all-rounder went for a drive and the outside edge carried to wicketkeeper Joshua de Silva. He managed to score 61 runs from 152 balls including five fours.
In the second session, R Ashwin and Ishan Kishan started off well after the latter got a reprieve when debutant Kirk Mckenzie dropped his catch. But Kishan threw his wicket away off the next ball with a lazy shot, giving Jason Holder his second wicket of the game.
Kishan scored 25 runs from 37 balls including four fours. Jaydev Unadkat was then Jomel Warrican's second victim as he got stumped in an attempt to slog sweep. Warrican then dismissed Mohammed Siraj for an 11-ball duck.
After Siraj's wicket, Ashwin decided not to trust debutant Mukesh Kumar's batting skills. Ashwin hit Roach for two consecutive fours to reach his half-century. He continued to attack and hit another boundary. But Roach had the last laugh as Ashwin got bowled trying to slash a slower delivery. Ashwin scored 56 runs from 78 deliveries including eight fours and India posted 438 on the board.
In the West Indies innings, skipper Kraigg Brathwaite has had a bright start to the game, remaining unbeaten on 37 with Tagenarine Chanderpaul only managing 33 runs in 95 balls before losing his wicket to Ravindra Jadeja. At stumps, the Windies were 86/1 with Kirk McKenzie on strike at the other end.
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