Twin strikes help India extend dominance

Having dominated for two straight days, India had their first taste at a struggle as Kraigg Brathwaite and nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo put up a dogged fight to keep the home side afloat on Day 3 of the Antigua Test on Saturday (July 23). However, as the Indian team has preached over the past couple of weeks, they kept patient and did not give away too many loose deliveries which yielded rich dividends. They ended the session with the wickets of Bishoo and Darren Bravo.

India started off with Mohammad Shami and Ishant Sharma, and although the pair looked sharp, they could not break through.Bishsoo, who was sent in at three as the night watchman, survived many close calls - playing and missing on many occasions, but did not throw his wicket away.At the other end, Brathwaite was solid in his defence, as West Indies saw off the first hour without any setbacks.

Virat Kohli had turned to Amit Mishra for one over during the first hour, it was the only instance of spin until then, and he continued with the legspinner after the drinks interval. Mishra gave India their much-needed breakthrough as he had Bishoo stumped for 12 off 46 balls ending his 38-run stand withBrathwaite.

R Ashwin was into the attack soon after, and he had Brathwaite in a spot on a couple of occasions. 

Operating with two close-in fielders in front of the batsman, Ashwin bowling with considerable flight to try and tempt the batsman to drive. Brathwaite opted to step out and hit the offspinner more than once, but managed to get his shots away from the fielders.
 
Shami reaped his reward for some tight bowling since the morning as he had Darren Bravo caught by Wriddhiman Saha at the stroke of Lunch. The left-hander needlessly poked at a shortish delivery well outside off and the edge was snapped up by the keeper.
 
West Indies ended the session at 90 for 3.