India tighten hold on Windies with strong bowling display

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Chasing India's 649/9 declared, the visitors were in a world of trouble at 94/6 at the end of the day's play at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot on Friday, 5 October.

Kohli called his batsmen back after Jadeja brought up his maiden hundred. But on a track where three Indian batsmen scored tons, the Windies top order found it difficult to cope with the bowlers' intensity in the last session of the day.

Mohammed Shami began their downfall, dismissing openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Kieran Powell quickly to have them at 7/2.

Ravichandran Ashwin joined the party, taking the crucial wicket of Shai Hope, who was done in by the lack of turn. Jadeja ran out Shimron Hetmyer after a terrible mix-up in the middle, and then followed it up with a wicket of his own, luring Sunil Ambris into edging him to slip.

Shane Dowrich was knocked over by Kuldeep Yadav, missing one that turned sharply. That left Roston Chase (27*) and Keemo Paul (13*) to see out the rest of the day.

The visitors' capitulation came after a strong batting performance from the hosts. Kohli, who began the day unbeaten on 72, reached his 24th Test century. He ultimately got to 139, which included 10 well-timed boundaries.

Kohli, who now has 30 international centuries as a captain, became the first batsman to cross 1000 Test runs in 2018.

He was supported well, initially by Rishabh Pant and then Jadeja. The young wicket-keeper played a blazing knock, smashing eight fours and four sixes. He was proactive and perilous, depositing both spin and pace into the stands and dominating the partnership of 133 with Kohli.

Pant was unlucky to miss out on his second Test ton, however. The left-hand right-hand partnership was finally broken by Devendra Bishoo in the 109th over, when the youngster edged a googly to Keeno Paul, falling for an 84-ball 92.

That was the only wicket of the morning session, with India accumulating 142 runs. Bishoo, the best of the Windies bowlers, returned figures of 4/217****from his 54**-**over spell.

Kohli fell soon after lunch, his attempt to accelerate ending a partnership with Jadeja at 64. But Jadeja and Umesh Yadav were up for a final flourish.

Making the most of a chance to bat ahead of Ashwin, Jadeja gave the Indian innings a thumping finish with his unbeaten century, which came off just 132 deliveries. It included five fours and five sixes**.**

On reaching three figures, the left-hander, who has a first-class triple ton on this ground, brought out his trademark celebration and walked off to a standing ovation.