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Photos, 2nd Test, Day 4: Darren Bravo's fighting ton can't save West Indies

Last updated on: November 17, 2011 20:11 IST
(L-R) Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Pragyan Ojha, Sachin Tendulkar, Ishant Sharma and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni walk back to the pavilion after India won the second Test

India crushed the West Indies by an innings and 15 runs in the second Test at the Eden Gardens, in Kolkata, on Thursday, to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series.

Scorecard:

The West Indies battled valiantly in the second innings, with Darren Bravo (136) slamming a superb century, but that was not enough as the Indian bowlers grabbed six wickets in the post-lunch session to seal the match on the fourth day.

- Congratulate the Indian Team

The match ended with more than four sessions to spare, just like the first Test, in New Delhi, which India won by five wickets. 

The two sides travel to Mumbai for the third Test, beginning November 22. 

Bravo notched his second Test century

Last updated on: November 17, 2011 20:11 IST
West Indies' Darren Bravo celebrates his century

In contrast to their first innings collapse, the West Indies, after being asked to follow-on, made a fight of it before being bundled out for 463 in 126.3 overs, eight minutes before the scheduled tea break. 

At one stage, they were staring at their biggest ever defeat against India -- an innings and 112 runs, Mumbai 2002 -- but Bravo weaved two century partnerships -- with Chanderpaul (108 runs) and Marlon Samuels (132) -- to save his side from the dubious record. 

Resuming at his overnight score of 38, Bravo batted superbly to register his second Test century (136) in less than a month, both coming in the second innings. He hit 16 boundaries and four sixes in his 230 balls knock.

Bravo stitched two substantial partnerships

Last updated on: November 17, 2011 20:11 IST
Sachin Tendulkar (L) congratulates Bravo on his century

Veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, playing with a stiff calf muscle, gave Bravo good company, scoring 47 (94 balls, 6x4).

After Chanderpaul's dismissal, Bravo stitched another substantial partnership with Samuels, who slammed 84 from 111 balls, laced with 13 boundaries and one six. 

Skipper Darren Sammy then hit a quickfire 32 from 28 balls, studded with one boundary and three sixes, but Yadav claimed two wickets in two balls to bundle out the visitors for 463. 

It was the first time that the West Indies scored more than 400 when following-on, bettering the 1968 record of 391-9 declared against England in Kingston.

Ojha, Ashwin picked two wickets each

Last updated on: November 17, 2011 20:11 IST
Ravichandran Ashwin (L) is congratulated by Pragyan Ojha as Gautam Gambhir (R) watches

After lunch, India persisted with Ishant Sharma and Ojha in tandem, the left-arm spinner bowling from the High Court end. 

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni then brought in off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin from High Court end, and the move yielded 12 runs, with Samuels hitting a six over midwicket after Bravo's elegant boundary in the deep point region. 

But the crucial breakthrough came in the next over when Ojha was brought on from the pavilion end; the switch of end finally did the trick in the form of Bravo's wicket. 

Bravo edged a straight delivery at slip and Rahul Dravid took the catch easily. The breakthrough opened the floodgates for India. 

Maintaining his tidy line and length, Ojha tempted Bravo for an expansive push that got an edge and the wicket. 

New batsman Carlton Baugh edged another delivery from Ojha at slip and the 38-year-old Dravid, with most catches in Tests, did not make any mistake, taking a brilliant low one diving to his right. 

India struck in successive overs to reduce the West Indies to 417 for seven, with Ashwin claiming the scalp of the aggressive-looking Samuels.

Umesh Yadav finishes with Test-best figures of four for 80

Last updated on: November 17, 2011 20:11 IST
Tendulkar (L) congratulates Umesh Yadav as captain Dhoni (R) watches

India got just one wicket in the first session, extended by an hour-and-a-half, when Yadav dismissed Chanderpaul as the visitors scored 144 runs from 36 overs.

But the home side hit back in second session, taking the remaining six wickets in 28.3 overs to wrap the match.

With the tourists looking good on 249 for three, India took the new ball in the 81st over, which resulted in the breakthrough. 

In the fourth over after taking the new ball, India broke the dangerous-looking fourth-wicket partnership when Chanderpaul played on a Yadav delivery.

Yadav was the most successful Indian bowler, returning innings figures of four for 80.