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Praveen and Ishant bowl India to victory

S. Dinakar

- PHOTO: AP

WELL DONE, MATE:Darren Sammy congratulates M.S. Dhoni after India won the first Test.

Kingston (Jamaica): In a creditable performance, a depleted Indian side defeated the West Indies by 63 runs in the first Digicel Test at Sabina Park here on Thursday.

Pursuing a demanding 326 on a surface of inconsistent bounce, the Caribbeans crumbled to 262 all out after lunch on day four.

It was all over when Suresh Raina's off-spin ended the 39-run last wicket partnership — that was both determined and enterprising — between Fidel Edwards and Devendra Bishoo.

Paceman Praveen Kumar's telling strikes opened the sluice gates for India. And Ishant Sharma bowled with heart and intensity as India made deep inroads.

Clever ploy

The clever Praveen spotted a chink in Darren Bravo's game. The left-hander was moving too far across in his attempt to work the ball on the leg-side; he was leaving his leg-stump exposed in the process. With a smartly bowled delivery from round the wicket, Praveen nailed Bravo in this shortcoming.

Praveen struck again when he foxed southpaw Shivnarine Chanderpaul with change of pace. The left-hander was picked up by Suresh Raina at cover. Praveen was also walking the tightrope after receiving his first warning for running on to the danger area.

Carlton Baugh did not last long; Harbhajan Singh ripped a quicker off-spinner and the West Indian was held at leg-slip.

Skipper Darren Sammy, throwing caution to the winds, powered Harbhajan for three successive sixes between long-on and mid-wicket.

Sammy's assault ended soon. Done in by leg-spinner Amit Mishra's loop, the West Indies skipper holed out to extra cover. India was tightening the noose.

The West Indies continued to dissipate. The unpredictable pitch led to Brendon Nash's downfall. The left-hander shaped for a pull but the short delivery from Mishra hugged the surface.

Ravi Rampaul (34) struck some brave blows but he was prised out by a brutal delivery from Ishant that climbed from a length; 'keeper Dhoni took a high catch. Rampaul pointed to the umpires that it was the third bouncer of the over but the decision had been made.

India — 1st innings: 246.

West Indies — 1st innings: 173.

India — 2nd innings: 252.

West Indies — 2nd innings: A. Barath c Raina b Praveen 38 (36b, 4x4, 2x6), L. Simmons b Ishant 27 (41b, 3x4, 1x6), R. Sarwan c Kohli b Ishant 0 (2b), D. Bravo b Praveen 41 (89b,7x4), S. Chanderpaul c Raina b Praveen 30 (73b, 4x4), B. Nash lbw b Mishra 9 ( 36b), C. Baugh c Kohli b Harbhajan 0 ( 4b), D. Sammy c Laxman b Mishra 25 ( 11b, 1x4, 3x6), R. Rampaul c Dhoni b Ishant 34 (32b, 6x4, 1x6), F. Edwards (not out) 15 ( 54b, 1x4), D. Bishoo b Raina 26 (33b, 2x4, 1x6); Extras (b-1, lb-13, w-2, nb-1): 17; Total (in 68.2 overs): 262.

Fall of wickets: 1-62 (Barath), 2-63 (Sarwan), 3-80 (Simmons), 4-148 (Bravo), 5-149 (Chanderpaul), 6-150 (Baugh), 7-181 (Sammy), 8-188 (Nash), 9-223 (Rampaul).

India bowling: Praveen 16-3-42-3, Ishant 17-3-81-3, Mishra 13-1-62-2, Harbhajan 16-3-54-1, Raina 6.2-1-9-1 .

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