Late strikes put West Indies A on top

Thu, Sep 26, '13

West Indies A took firm control of the first four-day game against India A after piling up 429 in their first innings and then reducing the hosts to 124/3 on the second day at the Gangotri Glades Stadium here.

India A were left with a chance to stage a recovery tomorrow, only thanks to Manpreet Juneja (47 not out) and Lokesh Rahul (46) and the hosts would bank on Juneja and Harshad Khadiwale (5 not out) to to see them through the first hour tomorrow.

The Indians had started fairly confidently with Rahul and Jiwanjot Singh looking solid against the West Indian new ball attack of Miguel Cummins and Delorn Johnson. But Singh was sent on his way back to the pavilion with India A on 45 in the 15th over, when Veerasammy Permaul had the opener caught behind by Chadwick Walton. Skipper Cheteshwar Pujara walked out to a huge roar from another healthy crowd at the Gangotri Glades Stadium but he was to disappoint his fans soon; Pujara had reached a mere three when he spooned a catch to Kieran Powell off Cummins as India A slipped to 49/2 in the 18th over.