CHENNAI (India), Oct 19: Ramnaresh Sarwan struck a defiant, unbeaten 62 as West Indies waged a grim battle to stave off defeat in the second Test against India here Saturday.

The 22-year-old Guyanese held firm for over four hours as West Indies reached 186 for four wickets, only 37 runs ahead, at the close on the third day.

India were in command after rattling up 316 in reply to the modest 167 made by the Caribbeans on the opening day, which gave them a crucial 149-run lead on a slow pitch.

The West Indies batsmen applied themselves better than in their three previous innings in the series, which they trail 1-0, but Anil Kumble struck late in the day having skipper Carl Hooper caught behind for a well-made 46.

Any slender hopes now rest largely on Sarwan, who is still seeking his first Test hundred in his 26th Test.

He completed his 14th fifty Saturday and shared in two partnerships as West Indies looked to reverse their poor run.

Sarwan raised 96 for the second wicket with opener Wavell Hinds (61) and 72 for the fourth with fellow Guyanese Hooper.

Sarwan, who batted straight and played the spinners late on a barren pitch, hit two straight sixes against Harbhajan Singh besides three fours in his 168-ball effort.

Left-hander Hinds faced 83 balls in his knock after paceman Javagal Srinath had removed fellow left-hander Chris Gayle for nought.

The 26-year-old Hinds played attacking shots for his ninth Test fifty to lift his side to 90 for one at tea, but perished to a rash shot in the first over after resumption.

The Jamaican hit Harbhajan over mid-wicket for a six, but only managed to top-edge a similar attempt two balls later to sky a catch to Saurav Ganguly at short mid-wicket.

Srinath reduced West Indies to 107 for three when he had left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul chip a well pitched-up ball to mid-wicket for just three.

But Sarwan rotated the strike with Hooper as both played mostly along the ground in their attempt to regain the initiative on a pitch which was at its best Saturday.

Hooper cut Kumble to cover for four and lofted him for two straight sixes in one over before sweeping and pulling Harbhajan for two fours.

But Kumble deceived Hooper with a slow googly and the inside-edge was smartly taken by wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel. He hit three fours and two sixes in his 58-ball effort.

Earlier, the hosts, a shaky 190 for five overnight after dismissing West Indies for 167 on the first day, thrived as the last five batsmen contributed 115.

Srinath, returning to the Indian team after announcing his retirement from Tests four months ago, hit 39 and Harbhajan made a chancy 37 to lift their team from 204 for six to 316 before being all out soon after lunch.