West Indies make strong start after India end at 353

India suffered a late batting collapse, allowing the West Indies to sneak back into the contest after Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha struck fighting centuries on day two of the third Test here today.

India lost their last five wickets for 37 runs to be 353 all out in the second session. The visitors looked set for a much bigger total when Ashwin (118) and Saha (104) were at the crease but the wicketkeeper-batsman’s dismissal not only ended a marathon 213 run partnership, it also triggered a batting collapse.

The West Indies responded strongly to India’s first innings effort, reaching 107 for one at close of play to trail by 246 runs. Kraigg Brathwaite (53*) and Darren Bravo (18*) came up with a spirited batting effort to give their team a promising start.