India needed just 95 balls to take four West Indies wickets on Tuesday, Day 4 of the second Test match, and now Virat Kohli will pray for about half a day's play to make sure the away team leave Jamaica with a 2-0 lead in the four-match Test series. Rain was the lead act on the penultimate day of the Test match, and there are chances of the wet weather taking the shine off India's performance, yet again, come Day 5.
If this match does end up in a draw, owing to the rain, India only have themselves to blame. Their batting in the first innings was sometimes painfully slow and even when the lower order came in, apart from the odd ball or two, the rest were a part of the blockathon, which was prevalent throughout the 171.1 overs that they batted for the 500 runs.
Get the report and final score HERE
Yes, the wicket was difficult to bat on, with strokemaking not exactly easy, especially with the West Indies bowlers sticking to a solid line outside the off-stump, but while the top order can be forgiven for not having a go, the fact that India still played out a lot of time with most of the wickets back in the hut, seemed puzzling at the time and pretty ridiculous now.
India might yet end up winning the game, provided the rain stays away, but with wet weather predicted during this Test, this was a risk that Kohli and co. needn't have taken.
The 256-run lead that India have at the moment, with West Indies on 48/4 in their second innings, doesn't really matter, because it is not going to come into play. It is all about West Indies surviving on the final day or India taking the six wickets need for a victory.
All of 98.1 overs are to be bowled on Day 5 at Sabina Park, and while the rain forecast is not as bad as the one on Tuesday, there will be a few thunderstorms, which means India need to go for the kill from ball one.
West Indies' lower order has proved to be pretty stubborn this series – if the top order had shown even half that determination, WI would be in a much more comfortable place – so India will be made to work for this wickets.
Weather permitting, we are in for a fascinating final day.
Where to Watch Live
India vs West Indies, Day 5 is scheduled for an 8 p.m. IST (9.30 a.m. local time, 3.30 p.m BST) start. Live Streaming and TV information below.
India: TV: Ten 2, Ten 3 and Ten 1 HD. Live Streaming: Ten Sports Live.
UK: TV: Sky Sports 3. Live Streaming: Watch Sky Sports and Sky Go.
UAE: TV: Ten Cricket.
USA: TV: Willow TV. Live Streaming: Willow TV online.
Australia: TV: Fox Sports 5. Live Streaming: Foxtel.
South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa: TV: SuperSport 2. Live Streaming: SuperSport.
