Sehwag takes a bit of the fight back

Staring at a crushing lead of 130 runs, that shot also took India back to that glorious moment of the Chennai Test against Australia on that October evening two years ago — 229 runs to win then, the sun nearly down, Sehwag had fired a Glenn McGrath delivery straight down the ground, before giving the Aussie ace one lasting stare. Of course, India didn’t win that match, thanks to rain on the last day, but Sehwag did win that little battle.

At the Recreation Ground, Sehwag followed up on that six with another staring contest with Edwards, after lunch, and then drove him through mid-on for four. The Najafgarh hero (41) couldn’t stay on to get India past the lead, but yes, it was another little battle won, giving the team enough heart to wage the war.

And it showed — at least at the other end, where Wasim Jaffer, looking a bit unsure early on, coming into his own later, lacing his fifth Test 50 with a couple of superb drives through cover, one well-timed flick and a delicate leg glance.

At tea, India are still there, not yet completely out, VVS Laxman and Jaffer holding fort, with the West Indies fighting for every extra inch, like they did on the evening of the second day, and this morning. If India ended up giving the tail 53 runs more on the third day, the West Indies would have wanted at least another 20-30 runs to lock the door.

That was after skipper Rahul Dravid took a minor gamble in the first over, opting for the new ball when Anil Kumble was at the throat of the tail-enders. Should Kumble have been there this morning? Thankfully, Munaf Patel and VRV Singh ensured the team wouldn’t have to really agonise over that question with the wickets of ’keeper Denesh Ramdin and that thorn in the throat called Ian Bradshaw.

In the process, Singh also bowled one of the most hostile balls ever bowled by an Indian on this tour so far, giving the 2004 Champions Trophy hero Bradshaw two options: save his jaw or put his bat in the way. Bradshaw was wise, he gave Yuvraj a sitter at gully and the 20-year-old Singh his golden wicket — his first in Tests.

However, with Sreesanth’s bowling turning out to be the tragedy of this game so far, Kumble was back after 14 overs to wrap up the final wicket. But in between, wrist spinner Dave Mohammed had done his bit for the home stars, slashing Patel over point to bring up the 100-run lead mark.

Yes, this contest may still level out — after the disaster of Friday, Saturday evening gave the first hint. In a spell of 27 overs after tea yesterday, India gave away 100 runs, largely due to some brilliant batting by Dwayne Bravo, but also took three crucial wickets — Sarwan, Chanderpaul and Bravo. The man of that session? Sehwag again, with his off-spin looping down on a perfect length, catching Bravo out of the crease for half-a-second and giving MS Dhoni his moment of the day — a brilliant reflex stumping.

Over an hour later, Greg Chappell outlined the next step: “We can’t afford to have batsmen throwing their wickets away in the second innings.” Well.