India and West Indies played out a thrilling draw in the final Test of the three match series between the two nations. The hosts needed to score 243 to win the game and claim a series whitewash. However, they could only manage 242 for the loss of 9 wickets, before the close of play. A spirited West Indian fight back meant the Indians had to be content with a 2-0 win in the series.
The match seemed set for an exciting finish and a possible Indian win, after the visitors were dismissed for 134 in their second innings. Spinners Pragyan Ojha and Ashwin Ravichandran claimed 6/47 and 4/34, respectively, to dominate the West Indian batsmen.
Indian opener Virender Sehwag smelt blood early on, as the Indians went in to bat needed to score the required runs of 64 overs. He set the ball rolling by belting 60 runs of just 65 deliveries. However, the loss of three quick wickets put the Indians under considerable pressure. Virat Kohli (63), Rahul Dravid (33) and V.V.S. Laxman (31) attempted to hold the innings together after that.
The fifth day was dramatic, if only for the fact that 17 wickets fell through the day. The initial collapse of the West Indian batsmen seemed to put the game in India's favour; indeed, with the exception of Darren Bravo (48) and Kraigg Brathwaite (35), none of the others got going.
