Sachin Tendulkar edges closer to 100th international century for India

 

Sachin Tendulkar will resume the third Test against West Indies 33 runs short of becoming the first man to record 100 international centuries after leading the Indian fightback on day three in Mumbai. Tendulkar finished on 67 not out and will be optimistic of reaching a famous milestone when he resumes alongside VVS Laxman.

India, who have already won the three-Test series as they lead 2-0, were 281 for three at the close, trailing by 309 runs after West Indies were dismissed for 590 in their first innings.

Tendulkar's quest for his 100th international century overshadowed the efforts of his team-mate Rahul Dravid, who became only the second player to pass 13,000 Test runs – after Tendulkar – on his way to a lively 82. Tendulkar and Dravid were joined in making half-centuries by Gautam Gambhir (55). Virender Sehwag (37) and the unbeaten Laxman (32 not out) made decent contributions to the cause as the Indian top order prospered.

Sehwag was the first victim of the India innings after he and fellow opener Gambhir initially got their side off to a flyer in a 67-run stand. Sehwag was typically belligerent, but just as he looked set to exact further damage Darren Sammy struck, sending an off-cutter into Sehwag's middle stump just before lunch.

Gambhir was removed on 55 having earlier been dropped by Kirk Edwards in the slips. He finally walked in the 34th over when he edged Ravi Rampaul to Carlton Baugh. Gambhir's removal brought Tendulkar to the crease to the delight of the crowd, but it was Dravid who drew the adulation after his driven half-volley ran away for a boundary and took him past the 13,000-run threshold.

Dravid went on to reach the tea interval unbeaten on 52, racking up his 62nd Test 50, and began the evening session in similarly determined fashion. But one ball after flashing away his 11th boundary of the match he came unstuck when a Marlon Samuels delivery pitched up and clipped off-stump.

With Dravid's century bid out of the way, the focus switched to Tendulkar, who had already signalled his intentions with a towering six early in the evening session and was soon celebrating his 63rd Test 50. Tendulkar hit only one more boundary after passing 50, instead pacing himself to stumps. He did get lucky on 58, when the close-in Baugh failed to clasp a thick edge off Devendra Bishoo, although it would have been an unfortunate dismissal – and a huge anti-climax for the vocal Mumbai support.

Earlier, Ravichandran Ashwin had completed a five-wicket haul by claiming the final wicket India had needed at the start of play. Ashwin bowled last man Bishoo to finish with five for 156, his second five-wicket haul in only his third Test.