BRIDGETOWN: India was held up by rain, and an unbroken sixth-wicket stand between Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Marlon Samuels that carried West Indies to 98 for five at tea in the second Test Wednesday. Only 8.3 overs in just under 40 minutes were possible between lunch and tea, as West Indies continued its response to the Indians' first innings total of 201 on the rain-affected second day. The visitors failed to make any breakthrough, when play resumed about a half-hour after the lunch interval with West Indies on 82 for five. They met resistance from Samuels, not out on 21, and Chanderpaul, not out on 20, the pair adding 41 – unbroken – before rain drove the players off the field and tea was taken during the stoppage. Before lunch, Ishant Sharma grabbed two quick wickets to give India the upper hand. The beanpole Indian fast bowler exploited a bouncy Kensington Oval pitch and overcast conditions, removing night watchman Devendra Bishoo and Ramnaresh Sarwan in the space of four deliveries. Sharma has been the most successful of the visitors' bowlers, taking three for 31 from 10 overs, after West Indies resumed on its overnight total of 30 for three. Rain delayed the start of play by 45 minutes, but Sharma bristled with confidence, and gave India early success. He had Bishoo caught in the gully for 13, fencing at a short, rising delivery in his seventh over, and three balls later trapped Sarwan lbw for 18 on the back foot with a delivery that moved back from outside the off-stump. The Indians are looking to wrap up their second straight Test series victory over West Indies in the Caribbean. They will also be looking to create a piece of history by becoming the first Indian side to win a Test and One-Day International series in the Caribbean – but they will also have to overcome their poor history here. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team still have cause for optimism though -– following a 10-wicket defeat for Sourav Ganguly's side nine years ago, West Indies has lost six of the last eight Tests it has played at this venue. – Agence France
