INDIA wrapped up their series against the West Indies 1-0 yesterday when the third and final Test ended in a draw in Dominica after a fine rearguard action from Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
India, who won the opening Test in Jamaica then drew the last two, were 94 for three in their second innings, having been set 180 to win, when the players shook hands and agreed to an early finish after tea on the fifth day.
West Indies effectively saved the match after making 332 in their second innings, Chanderpaul finishing with an unbeaten 116 after putting on a crucial 37 over, 65-run partnership with Fidel Edwards (30) for the ninth wicket.
Chanderpaul celebrated becoming the most capped West Indian in Tests with his 23rd ton in a 133 Tests and it was a typically gritty innings from the Guyanese left-hander.
He lost Darren Sammy early, the West Indies captain caught at short-leg off Harbhajan Singh although television replays suggested the ball had struck only his pad.
Then Ravi Rampaul was run out as West Indies looked set to fold before Edwards came in and produced his best score in Test cricket, showing grit and focus.
Chanderpaul, who struck just five fours from 343 deliveries and was named man of the match, was clearly annoyed when Edwards finally lost his patience and holed out to Praveen Kumar at deep mid-off of the bowling Raina.
Raina’s part-time spin quickly took care of Devendra Bishoo as India finally finished off the West Indies tail.
There was time enough for India to reach the target of 180 with around 47 overs expected to be available but their attempt got off to a poor start.
Edwards took the new ball and struck with the first delivery – trapping Abhinav Mukund leg before wicket.
Murali Vijay made a smart 45 before Rampaul had him caught by Bishoo and Raina was promoted to perhaps push along the run-rate but went for eight, caught and bowled by Rampaul, before the game ended, prematurely, when it was clear India were no longer chasing the target.
India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni defended his team’s conservative approach at the close.
“We were risking a series win going after the target, we realised that it was not worth going for it after those wickets,” he said.
“We gave it a go but we are happy with the series win. It was a good exposure for the youngsters.”
West Indies skipper Sammy, whose team were warmly applauded by a lively and large Dominican crowd, enjoying the conclusion of their first ever Test, was also pleased with the way the series ended.
“I’m very pleased with the result. Thanks to the Dominica public for coming out, we thought it was a Twenty20 game with this crowd and that shows the Caribbean people still love us,” he said.
“We were a bowler short and to come back and draw is great and Shiv proved he is still one of our better batsmen,” he said.
India’s next international duty is a tour of England starting later this month.
Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma was named man of the series after capturing 22 wickets and taking his career tally past 100.
“This is my first series where I took the highest wickets,” he said. “I am pretty confident about myself, looking forward to England.”
