Rahul’s career-best 150* puts India in the lead

Tea India 259 for 2 (Rahul 150*, Kohli 21*) lead West Indies 196 by 63 runsLive scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Flawless innings are fairly rare in Test cricket. After all, the bowler gets to dictate some of the terms too. KL Rahul listened to them patiently, respected them when they made good points but did not cede his upper hand. His career-best 150* thrust India into the lead.

At the other end was Cheteshwar Pujara, who spent a full hour running away from making runs. He was 18 off 57 overnight and stayed on 18 until he faced his 92nd ball of the match. Much was made of his run-out after lunch. To be fair, facing 159 balls and being dismissed in that fashion does evoke critique.

Runs and records awaited anyone willing to show a little conviction on this Sabina Park pitch. But like a grandparent doting on their favourite grandkid in the middle of a party, it did embarrass them on the odd occasion. Pujara knew as much – he cut a ball through the covers adjusting for that lack of pace – and when he nudged a short ball from Jason Holder into the leg side, he meant it to go a lot finer.

The slow surface put the ball closer to Roston Chase and a slow outfield meant he was able to cut across to it and effect a direct hit. The third umpire was called to adjudicate, but Pujara, who was face-down on the ground, knew all his hard work had come undone by one little mistake.

Meanwhile, Rahul kept cruising. He had driven extremely well and by now wasn’t afraid to extend the arms and hit over the top. A good IPL – whether it makes one ready for international cricket – certainly does wonders to his confidence. Rahul had outshone Chris Gayle in the last season and his attacking game was on point in …

continue reading in source www.espncricinfo.com