Dravid ton puts West Indies under early pressure

KOLKATA, India (IANS/CMC):

Maestro Rahul Dravid's 36th Test century put India in early control of the second Test here yesterday, as West Indies' bowlers struggled to contain the hosts' batting juggernaut.

The right-hander hit a classic 119 as India, opting to bat first at Eden Gardens, finished the day on 346 for five.

"It was a tough day for us because there was nothing in the pitch for bowlers,'' West Indies coach Ottis Gibson said. "But India did collapse in the first innings of the last Test and we are hoping something like that happens here too.''

While Dravid flourished, legendary teammate Sachin Tendular failed in his pursuit of 100 international hundreds, falling well short when he was out for 38.

The classy VVS Laxman, another cog in India's imposing batting line up, was nearing his 17th century at the close, finishing unbeaten on 73.

Left-handed opener Gautam Gambhir got a measured 65, while partner Virender Sehwag slammed a typically breezy 38.

With India chasing a 2-0 lead in the three-match series, Dravid took centre stage, stroking nine fours and two sixes in an innings spanning 207 balls in just under five hours at the crease.

He anchored a 140-run, fourth-wicket stand with Laxman, which helped India mould the foundation for a massive total.

Dravid also shared two half-century partnerships - 83 for the second wicket with Gambhir and 56 for the third wicket with Tendulkar.

For the veteran, it was his fifth hundred of the calendar year and he always seemed poised for a big innings from the outset, galloping to 19 off 17 balls, quite unlike his usual watchful starts.

Thereafter, he played a finely balanced innings, with some spectacular cover drives and dispatched Devendra Bishoo and Marlon Samuels for sixes down the ground.

He got to the three-figure mark - his fourth at the iconic ground - 79 minutes into the post-tea session by stylishly glancing pacer Kemar Roach to the square-leg fence. The mark was achieved in 254 minutes off 179 balls.

"I was disappointed (at getting out) as I batted the whole day, which was nearing an end,'' Dravid said. "It would have been nice to start fresh tomorrow with two set batsmen and a century behind you.''

Part-time spinner Kraigg Brathwaite finally claimed Dravid to grab his maiden Test wicket in the penultimate over of the day, when the batsman played on attempting a forcing off-side stroke.

Laxman counted five fours and has so far faced 116 balls and batted 143 minutes.

West Indies snatched a bonus wicket near the close when Roach got nightwatchman Ishant Sharma to glove a short ball to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh to depart for a first-ball duck.