Chase, Holder fight back after top order stutters

Fast bowler Umesh and left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep struck three blows apiece, but Chase saved the day for the visitors with a resilient 98 not out, while Holder chipped in with a timely 52.

Having won the toss, Windies captain Holder, who returned from injury after missing the first game, had no hesitation in opting to bat first on an evidently good wicket. Despite having prime conditions, however, the Windies top order struggled.

India fast bowler Shardul Thakur, who was handed his debut cap, had the misfortune of picking up a groin injury only 10 deliveries into his spell, but that only resulted in the spinners being brought on sooner, and they had an immediate impact.

Ravichandran Ashwin made the first breakthrough, when Kieran Powell tried to hit him over the off-side but didn't get the elevation to clear cover, falling for 22. Kraigg Brathwaite played a more defensive game, and saw out 68 deliveries for 14 runs before being trapped in front by Kuldeep Yadav's left-arm wrist-spin, playing for the wrong'un when it was in fact a regular leg-break.

Umesh Yadav hadn't had much purchase with the new ball, but with the old ball he looked threatening from the outset. He was brought on for a second spell just before lunch and he had the ball tailing in prodigiously. One of those beauties got the wicket of a well-set Shai Hope, lbw for a steady 36, with Windies slipping to 86/3 at lunch.

Immediately after, Kuldeep nabbed Shimron Hetmyer for 12 with a wrong'un – the left-hander padding away a ball that was headed for the stumps. The impact was outside off but Hetmyer wasn't offering a shot.

Sunil Ambris looked to counter-attack, and came down to whip Kuldeep onto the leg-side, only getting a leading edge to cover, a soft dismissal for 13 as Windies slipped to 113/5. Chase then found an ally in Shane Dowrich and the duo added 69 runs until Umesh had the latter trapped in front with another in-dipper for 30.

But that partnership did much to boost the confidence for the visitors. After tea, Chase continued to milk runs as he had done later in the second session. He went past his 50 and scored fluently, tiring out the Indian bowlers in the process. He was happy to defend the good deliveries but remained keen to rotate the strike every now and then. He squeezed in more than the odd boundary too – his 174-ball knock featured seven fours and a six.

The manner in which Holder batted was befitting of any top-order batsman. He exhibited decisive footwork and was as proactive as his batting partner. He brought up his 50 with a swashbuckling pull shot off Umesh that raced to the deep mid-wicket boundary. Unfortunately for him, he got a faint nick to the keeper down the leg-side when he attempted the shot again, falling for a fine 52. More importantly, it was the end of a spectacular 104-run partnership.

After Holder's dismissal, Chase and Devendra Bishoo batted cautiously to see out the day. Chase will eye a much-deserved century when play resumes on the second day.