PORT-OF-SPAIN: Steady rainfall wiped out the prospect of any play before lunch on the final day of the second and final Test between the West Indies and India at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad on Monday.

West Indies were set to resume at 76-2 in their second innings having been set a victory target of 365.

However with the inclement weather forecasted to linger for much of the day, the window for an outright result seemed closed.

India lead the series 1-0 after a crushing innings and 141 runs triumph in the first Test in Dominica in three days.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul (24) and Jermaine Blackwood (20) were to resume play for the hosts.

Earlier, leading an inexperienced Indian pace attack, Mohammed Siraj claimed 5-60 to help bowl out West Indies for 255 after they resumed their first innings on 229-5.

West Indies lost their last five wickets for only 26 runs with Siraj wreaking havoc with the ball.

Possessing a handy lead of 183, Indian batters came out all guns blazing in their second innings scoring as if playing a T20 match.

Skipper Rohit Sharma (57) raced to a 35-ball fifty as he and Yashasvi Jaiswal (38) took India to the 100-mark in 12.2 overs.

Promoted to number four, Ishan Kishan struck an unbeaten 52 off 34 balls, his maiden test fifty in his second test, as India racked up 181-2 in 24 overs before declaring their innings.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin further cemented India’s position on a rain-marred with two late blows.

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite made 28 before top edging Ashwin at short fine leg, while Kirk McKenzie was trapped lbw for a duck.

For India, Siraj particularly stood out for the way he led the attack in the absence of a recovering Jasprit Bumrah and a rested Mohammed Shami. “I relish responsibilities,” the 29-year-old told reporters. “To step in on the field with a responsibility on my shoulders gives me extra motivation and it is challenging as well and I like challenges.

“It was hot and humid and because of the rain, we were going on and off the field. It’s difficult for a fast bowler to keep yourself charged-up.”

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2023