After the incredible emotional rollercoaster that was the second day of the second Test on Friday, India will look to another innings defeat against the West Indies today.
The West Indies are on 43/3 in their second innings, trailing by 270 runs after India posted 495 all out on Friday, thanks to centuries from Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma.
The day, though, belonged to Sachin Tendulkar, whose 74 was serene, brilliant and elegant and was as good as many of the previous 100 hundred that he has scored in a glorious 24-year career.
The fact that the 74 looks like being his final international innings of any kind has still not quite sunk in, but once India, as expected, wrap-up the Test, it will definitely become the stark reality.
Darren Bravo fell in the final over of the day yesterday, leaving Chris Gayle at the crease on 6 from 31 balls, with Marlon Samuels most likely set to come in, after Kieran Powell and nightwatchman Tino Best were also dismissed.
The spinners Pragyan Ojha and R Ashwin will play a big role from the morning for sure and India will target a victory ASAP, even if there will be the feeling of wanting to prolong things in the back of their minds, to give Tendulkar little more time on the field.
Ashwin starts the day off the three remaining deliveries from the second day. A couple of hints already of what is in store for the West Indies.
Ojha starts from the other end, as India, expectedly begins with spin. One run off the over, leaving West Indies on 46/3 - a 267-run deficit -- with Gayle (7) and Samuels (2) batting.
The 50 came up for the West Indies with Gayle accepting a gift of a full-toss, spanking it to the boundary. A sweep for a second boundary from the next ball, and then a flick to the vacant leg side, as Dhoni kept a predominantly offside field, and Gayle was well on his way in the day.
Samuels also got into the part in the over, hitting a boundary straight down the ground as 17 was taken off the over. West Indies 63 for three from 15 overs.
The cat and mouse game between the spinners and the WI batsmen - Gayle and Samuels - ended when the latter came down the pitch and attempted a big shot. The ball whizzed past him and Dhoni did the rest with the simplest of stumpings. West indies 74/4 in 17.3 overs.
Shivnarine Chanderpual walks in looking for a big innings in his 150th Test, after missing out in the first innings. The next three balls are seen out with West Indies 77 for four in 18 overs. Gayle batting on 28 and Chanderpaul on 1.
Gayle in the mood as he smashes Ojha for a six over midwicket as WI look to take the attack to the spin twins. West Indies 85 for four in 20 overs. Gayle batting on 35, Chanderpaul on 2.
Gayleforce was stunted soon enough, however, as Ojha found the outside edge of the big man, who made 35 (53b, 4x4, 1x6), with Dhoni taking a smart catch. Both of today's wickets so far for Ojha. WI 87 for five.
Ojha's third of the day was Deonarine (0), who mistimed a drive straight back to the bowler. WI in big, big trouble on 89 for six, with Chanderpaul wondering what's going on at the other end.
India pressing and probing as Chanderpaul holds fort. West Indies 102/6 in 28 overs.
Mohammed Shami into the attack for the first time in the day. Dhoni will be hoping for some reverse swing from the fast bowler.
Denesh Ramdin looking really comfortable at the crease, emphasised by a nice push down the ground for a boundary leaving West Indies on 117 for six in 30 overs at drinks. Ramdin batting on 19 (23b, 2x4, 1x6) with Chanderpaul his usual stubborn self on 15 (37b).
Chanderpaul and Ramdin looking really good in the middle, untroubled. Is a big partnership in the offing? West Indies 126 for six in 33 overs.
The partnership is now up to 58 as West Indies look to fight back - the score 147 for six in 36 overs. Chanderpaul on 36 and Ramdin on 28.
Ramdin (33) and Chanderpaul (40) doing it nicely - a partnership of 67 from 80 balls -- keeping the attack going as Windies climb to 156 for six in 37 overs, trailing by 157 runs.
It was always just a matter of time and Ashwin rapped Chanderpaul on the pads with the umpire having no hesitation in raising his finger. Chanderpaul out for 41 (62b, 4x4), with West Indies now only having three wickets in hand on 157 for seven.
Darren Sammy walks in as Chanderpaul is left to wonder if he could have done better in his 150th Test. The pressure will be on Sammy to perform after throwing his wicket away in the first innings, and he nearly dollied a catch to Ojha at mid-off in his first ball.
Ojha beat Sammy's bat a few times in the over, before a straighter one struck him in front of the wicket. Sammy gone for 1 with West Indies on the brink on 162 for eight, and also 10 wickets in the match for Ojha.
With WI eight down, here comes the man that everyone wants to see, to a humongous roar. Sachin Tendulkar already has a wicket in the series, let's see what he can do.
Sachin, as always turns the ball a fair bit, as a single run is taken from the over, with a mild lbw appeal thrown in as well. WI163 for eight in 41 overs, trailing by 150 runs.
Session extended by 15 minutes with WI eight wickets down as Tendulkar comes into bowl.
A full-toss and an interesting googly in there as the wicket that everyone wants does not come, yet. WI 175 for eight in 43 overs.
Ashwin replaces Tendulkar, and Ramdin drives the off spinner to mark his fifty, a really good one coming in just 60 balls. A couple of balls later and another lbw as Shane Shillingford (8) misses a slog sweep with the ball striking in front of middle. WI 185/9.
Shami back to bowl, as India look for the final wicket for another big innings win. Shami delivers with an in-dipper that knocks down the middle stump of Shannon Gabriel. West Indies 187 all out in 47 overs, giving India an innings and 126-run victory for a 2-0 series win.
The entire India cricket team give a guard of honour right until Tendulkar walks off the field. The emotions finally getting to him as he realises this is the last time in an unbelievable 24-year career.
Incredibly touching moment that - not a dry eye in the building, I assure you.
India will be over the moon with their performance in the series, with the batsmen and the bowlers both coming to the fore. A tougher test in South Africa awaits, and for the first time in a long, long time, without Tendulkar.
