First away century ‘a special one’ – Roston Chase

When Chase walked in on the first day, at 92/4, the Indians were well on top. But Chase scored 98 by stumps, and the Windies were 295/7, in a better position, and he went on to score 106 as the Windies got past 300. India ended the second day on 308/4, though, and are very much in the driver’s seat.

For Chase, it was a fourth Test century – second against India – and came after he had scored a battling 53 in the first innings of the first Test. All three previous centuries had been at home, two of them against Pakistan in consecutive Tests in 2017.

“I was pleased with my performance. I wanted to go bigger, as I always do. It’s never enough runs for a batsman, but Umesh (Yadav) got the better of me today. But I’m still pleased with the century, my first century away from home, so it’s a special one for me,” said Chase after the day’s play.

Yadav certainly got the better of Chase, hitting the batsman’s stumps with a quick delivery that nipped in off the pitch. Yadav went on to return 6/88, his career-best figures in Tests.

When India batted, the Windies bowlers kept things tight to start with, but there were lapses later on, which allowed the likes of Rishabh Pant to break free. Pant ended the day on 85*, with Ajinkya Rahane for company on 75*.

“Cricket is played on the field, so even though you may put plans into place, they might not always work. So we have to go back to the drawing board with those plans again,” pointed out Chase, playing his 24th Test.

“We tried to contain the batsmen, we tried to set more defensive fields, and tried to put some pressure back on them after they got the quick start. And it paid off for us. But then we had some lapses on the field, and that really cost us.”

Before Rahane and Pant got together, it was India’s teenaged batting sensation Prithvi Shaw calling the shots. Shaw, who scored a century on Test debut in their earlier fixture, smashed 11 fours and a six in a belligerent 53-ball 70 from the top of the order even as the other batsmen took their time.

“I just think they look to him to give them that good start, and the other guys – the more mature guys – just come in and knock it around and pick up the ones and twos,” suggested Chase.

“I just think that’s their strategy, to go hard at the start with the young guy, because that’s his natural game, and then it’s just easier for the other guys coming in after him.”