Associated Press
St John’s (Antigua), Jun 6: Opener Wasim Jaffer hit a magnificent 212 and Mahendra Dhoni lashed six sixes in a quickfire 69 off 52 balls as India created a match-winning position against West Indies on the fourth day of the opening cricket Test on Monday June 5.
Jaffer scored a maiden double century to lead India's onslaught on the West Indian bowling on the fourth day of the first Test on Monday. He is the fourth batsman after Dilip Sardesai, Sunil Gavaskar and Navjot Singh Sidhu to score a double century in the Caribbean.
Jaffer's 212 was the centrepiece of India's second innings of 521 for six declared.
Playing in his 11th Test, faced 399 balls and hit 24 fours and a six in his career-best performance. His previous highest score was the 100 against England in Nagpur in March.
India, which started the day on 215 for two, declared at 521 for six just before the close at Antigua Recreation Ground and set the Windies 392 to win.
West Indies reached stumps at 13 without loss. Chris Gayle was at one and Daren Ganga on 10.
Dhoni provided late acceleration with six sixes and four fours powering him to 69 off just 52 balls in an hour.
His dismissal, to a catch at deep mid-wicket, which was nearly his seventh six, proved a controversial moment at the end of the day.
The umpires took 10 minutes consulting with the TV official but the pictures offered no conclusive evidence of whether Ganga stood on the rope as he completed the catch.
Captain Brian Lara appeared angry as umpires Asad Rauf and Simon Taufel seemed set to allow Dhoni to continue.
But eventually Dhoni accepted the word of Ganga and India quickly declared.
"I was not really sure if the catch was taken, if I was out or not," Dhoni said.
"But later Brian came and said, look, I am taking charge of my players and he is speaking the truth, so I said, 'Ok, then I will walk."
Jaffer stroked 24 fours, most of them sweetly timed drives, and one six off 399 balls. The Mumbai right-hander spent 501 minutes, nearly eight and a half hours at the crease.