As Day Five began, almost everyone anticipated an Indian victory. But, Roston Chase wanted a different ending for the West Indies. An ending which made him the man of the moment, thanks to an unbeaten 137 which helped West Indies bat out the last day of the second Test at Kingston. The game ended in a draw, a result that looked next to impossible when the hosts were struggling overnight at 48/4.
The 24-year-old, who had also taken a five-wicket haul in India's first innings, was measured in his approach, playing superb counter-attacking cricket, He was ably supported, first by Jermaine Blackwood, then Shane Dowrich, and finally by captain Jason Holder.
Blackwood, in fact, took the attack to India, hitting 63 off only 54 balls, though he fell to Ravichandran Ashwin, offering a difficult bat-pad catch to Cheteshwar Pujara at short leg. However, wicket-keeper Dowrich proved more than an able replacement, ensuring that West Indies remained untroubled. He too perished thanks to a spinner, in this case Amit Mishra, who got him leg-before-wicket.
In walked Holder, and, along with Chase, ensured that India were batted out of a victory. Once the West Indies got past 304, which meant that India would have to bat again, the writing was on the wall for Virat Kohli's men.
For the West Indies, this was nothing short of a moral victory. They held the fort against an Indian bowling attack riding high on confidence – with utmost determination and willpower. In the process, the hosts, who had lost four wickets in 15.5 overs on Day Four, lost only two on the final day.
Virat Kohli and company were clearly not expecting this and were left stunned. Not that the Indians were bowling badly, but this was a completely different West Indies side they were facing, compared to the first innings, in which they were bowled out for 196.
Still, over and above the teamwork, Chase was the man around whom the fightback revolved. Little did he know that he would become the fourth West Indian to do the double of 5 wickets and 100 runs in same Test.
The last man to do it was Sir Garfield Sobers, exactly 50 years ago. Sobers made 174 and took 5 for 41 against England at Headingley in August 1966. This was also Chase’s first Test hundred, and he certainly has the calibre and temperament to score many more.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!