HUBLI, India, CMC- West Indies A are struggling against India A who have taken control on the second day of their third unofficial test at Hubli Cricket Ground.
Yesterday, centuries from Gautam Gambhir and Cheteshwar Pujara have placed the Indians in a strong position of 334 for three, a lead of 66 runs.
A stubborn and sturdy second wicket partnership between the two batsmen yielded 207 runs and provided the foundation to the homeside’s enterprising first innings total.
Gambhir sent a reminder to national selectors by playing patiently to reach 123, his third first class century for the year, before he was bowled by Narsingh Deonarine.
The left-handed batsman hit 11 fours and faced 236 balls while Pujara regained form by striking 15 fours in an unbeaten 139 from 228 balls.
However he survived a chance when he was on 56, driving at a wide delivery, but was dropped at second slip by Ashley Nurse.
Pujara is at the wicket with Abhishek Nayar who is on 10.
West Indies enjoyed early success when a Delorn Johnson delivery knocked back the stumps of opener VA Jagadesh with the score on 35.
But the runs flowed afterwards as India batted themselves into a position to dominate the match after losing and drawing the opening two matches against West Indies A.
Nikita Miller picked up the other Indian wicket to have fallen as Virender Sehwag, after a decent start, was caught by Ashley Nurse for 38.
West Indies A used four wicketkeepers – one of them not even part of their XI, but allowed on humanitarian grounds.
On two separate occasions bees invaded the field forcing the players to lie prone for minutes.
In the first over after the lunch interval, wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton hurt his finger, handing the gloves over to Jonathan Carter.
Carter also hurt his finger forcing Nurse to don the gloves as bees began attacking the field.
By the time Nurse took a knock himself, the match referee had allowed West Indies A to use the specialist wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton, who had sat out this game.
