West Indies vs India, 2nd Test, Day 3 preview: How are the hosts going to solve the Bumrah problem?

West Indies had folded for 100 against Jasprit Bumrah at North Sound. They fared hardly better here at Sabina Park, finishing Day 2 on 87/7 after finally bowling out India for 416. Bumrah followed his 5/7 in the previous Test with 6/16 here – including a hat-trick. Trailing by 329 runs, West Indies are now facing the threat of an innings defeat.

At the crease are debutants Jahmar Hamilton (2*) and Rahkeem Cornwall (4*). Neither is quite a pushover, but the remaining batsmen – Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel – do not inspire much confidence. India are on top, and the rest of the Test will depend largely on whether they enforce the follow on.

The day began spectacularly for West Indies: Jason Holder (5/57) swung the first ball of the day into Rishabh Pant, who misjudged the length and was sucked into a forward defence, and was bowled for 27. Ravindra Jadeja (16) saw through the first hour before trying to slog over mid on off Cornwall (3/105) and getting caught.

That brought Ishant Sharma (57) to the crease. Ishant set off for a suicidal first run, got 5 instead, and never looked back. He slog-swept and drove gallantly, even attempted a reverse-sweep, and brought up his maiden Test fifty, much to the jubilation of the Indian dressing-room.

While all this was happening at the other end, Hanuma Vihari (111) had dropped anchor, bringing up his first Test hundred after scoring 32 and 93 at North Sound. Vihari’s was an excellent demonstration of patience and dogged defence, though he opened up in a flurry of beautiful drives towards the end.

The innings was rounded up swiftly: Ishant was caught at cow corner off Kraigg Brathwaite, while Cornwall had Mohammed Shami caught behind. Vihari went last, trying to hit Holder over the top and failing; he became the latter’s 100th Test wicket.

West Indies had to bat out one session. Brathwaite and John Campbell did bat for half an hour before Bumrah switched ends. He held the length back to have Campbell caught behind.

In his next over he had Darren Bravo caught at slip; off the next ball, Shamarh Brooks leg-before; and rapped Roston Chase on the pads next ball. Bumrah did not appeal, but Virat Kohli insisted, and Bumrah became the third Indian to take a Test hat-trick. Soon afterwards he had Brathwaite caught behind. At this stage West Indies were 22/5.

Shimron Hetmyer (34) decided to counterattack. It worked for a while, even if his survival involved a few streaky edges. Then the Indians turned the screws tighter, and getting beaten several times, he was bowled through the gate by Mohammed Shami.

Key players

Rahkeem Cornwall (West Indies): The big man has already taken two catches and three wickets. It is time for him to bat for as long as possible on Day Three – and if India bat, wheel on through the day the way he has done in their first innings.

Jasprit Bumrah (India): In his last two innings Bumrah has taken 11/23 including a hat-trick. Unless the hosts come up with a solution of some sort, they are headed for yet another rout.

Brief scores

India 416 (Hanuma Vihari 111, Virat Kohli 76, Ishant Sharma 57, Mayank Agarwal 55; Jason Holder 5/77, Rahkeem Cornwall 3/105) lead West Indies 87/7 (Shimron Hetmyer 34; Jasprit Bumrah 6/16) by 329 runs.

Prediction

India to roll over West Indies early, and… perhaps bat again?