Laxman And Dhoni Lift India To Dominant Position

Laxman And Dhoni Lift India To Dominant Position

VVS Laxman (left) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni put on a partnership worth 224 for the seventh wicket as India took control on day two in Kolkata

©REUTERS / Action Images

India 631-7 dec. (Laxman 176no, Dhoni 144) v
West Indies 34-2 (Yadav 1-3)
Second Test, Kolkata, day two
Scorecard | Day One

VVS Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored fine centuries to put India in a commanding position on day two of the second Test against the West Indies in Kolkata.

Laxman stroked an unbeaten 176 and Dhoni a combative 144 and India's domination was underlined when after declaring on 631 for seven, they reduced the tourists to 34 for two.

Umesh Yadav had Adrian Barath caught behind and fellow opener Kraigg Brathwaite was caught at short leg before bad light stalled India's charge.

Laxman's 176 not out is his second highest Test score and fifth century at Eden Gardens while Dhoni's knock was his first Test century in 31 innings.

The pair put on 224 for the seventh wicket after Yuvraj Singh (25) had struggled and then been trapped in front by Darren Sammy as the West Indies started the day strongly.

Laxman faced 280 balls in all, hitting 12 boundaries while Dhoni carved some wonderful shots including ten fours and five fixes en route to 144 in 175 balls.

He was finally out when he was caught by Carlton Baugh off Kemar Roach and after Ravichandran Ashwin had made four not out, Dhoni declared the innings.

It proved to be a good decision as Yadav had Barath fending to Virender Sehwag at second slip having made just one run and then Ashwin had Brathwaite caught by Gautam Gambhir at short leg for 17.

When the bad light closed in, Kirk Edwards was unbeaten on 12 and Darren Bravo was on four not out.

Rahul Dravid (119) also scored a century on the opening day while Gambhir hit 65 as India, who lead the three-match series 1-0, won the toss.

© Cricket World 2011