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Photos, 2nd Test, Day II: Dhoni leads from the front
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni led from the front, scoring his first century in 21 months, to help India put up a huge 631 for seven declared on Day 2 of the second Test against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens, on Tuesday.
The visitors were 34 for 2 in reply when play was called off early because of bad light.
Kirk Edwards was unbeaten on 12; giving him company was Darren Bravo, on four. Umesh Yadav and R Ashwin accounted for the wickets.
Dhoni scored 144 off 175 balls; the innings was inclusive of 10 fours and five sixes.
Interestingly, his last century was at the Eden Gardens in February 2010, against South Africa. Since then he scored seven fifties in 32 innings.
Dhoni registered his fifth Test century
Having survived on 13 and 16, when he edged no-balls twice to Kemar Roach, Dhoni never seemed to be in any trouble in dealing with the West Indies bowlers.
Dhoni was particularly ruthless on Brathwaite, hitting the off-spinner for two sixes and a boundary to notch 19 runs in the same over.
He reached his fifth Test century by driving a full toss from Brathwaite to long off.
Dogged 176 not out by VVS Laxman
VVS Laxman remained unbeaten on 176, his 280-ball knock inclusive of a dozen hits to the fence.
In full flow, Laxman also enjoyed a bit of luck as well, even as new ball bowlers Kemar Roach and Fidel Edwards had a tough grind.
While on 79, his thick inside edge from a short Roach delivery beat the stumps and wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh and went for a boundary.
Dhoni, Laxman added 224 runs
Dhoni and Laxman shared a 224-run stand for the seventh wicket, plundering runs in the post-lunch session.
The extended second session was because lunch was taken early due to poor light.
The West Indies conceded 180 runs in 41 overs of the session as the Indians did not lose any wicket, with Laxman and Dhoni going strong.