GROS ISLET (St Lucia), June 14: Captain Brian Lara led from the front on Wednesday as West Indies fought to save the second Test against India.

At lunch on the final day West Indies were 138 for three in their second innings, still needing 235 to make India bat again, with Lara unbeaten on 66. The entire fourth day had been washed out.

Leg spinner Anil Kumble picked up the first wicket in the fifth over of the day when he sent a googly fizzing out of the rough outside the off stump to Daren Ganga.

Ganga, who misjudged the delivery and opted to play no shot, was bowled for 26.

India struck again three overs later when pace bowler Munaf Patel, bowling a consistent line, drew Ramnaresh Sarwan forward with a fine delivery that nipped away for wicket-keeper Mahendra Dhoni to take the catch.

Sarwan had been at the crease for 10 deliveries, but scored just a single following his first-ball dismissal in the first innings.

West Indies began the day on 43 for one, having to survive for 109.3 overs and needing 373 runs to make India bat again.

Lara steadily chipped away at both targets, reaching his 48th Test 50 and his seventh against India.

He had added 86 for the fourth wicket with fellow left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who was 35 not out at the interval.

Scoreboard

INDIA (1st Innings) 588-8 declared (V. Sehwag 180, Mohammad Kaif 148 not out, R. Dravid 146).

WEST INDIES (1st Innings) 215.

WEST INDIES (2nd Innings, (overnight 43-1 from Monday):

C.H. Gayle c Dhoni b Pathan 2

D. Ganga b Kumble 26

B.C. Lara not out 66

R.R. Sarwan c Dhoni b Patel 1

S. Chanderpaul not out 35

EXTRAS (LB-1, NB-2, PR-5) 8

TOTAL (for three wkts, 55 overs) 138

FALL OF WKTS: 1-2, 2-51, 3-52.

BOWLING (to-date): Irfan Pathan 13-2-41-1; Munaf Patel 10-5-14-1; V.R. Singh 7-0-20-0 (2nb); Kumble 17-2-42-1; Sehwag 8-0-15-0.—Agencies