A record-breaking eighth wicket stand between RahulDravid and Sarandeep Singh put India back on track but heavy rain washed outnearly all hopes of a result in the first Test against West Indies at the Bourda.
Dravid struck a shining 144 and put on 120 runs for theunfinished eighth wicket with Sarandeep Singh to anchor India to 395 for sevenwhen rain forced the fourth day's play to end half an hour before the scheduledtea interval.
Sarandeep, a last-minute replacement for injured fellowoff-spinner Harbhajan Singh, recorded his highest Test score of 39 as hepatiently hung in for more than two hours to help Dravid guide the side tosafety after three quick wickets in the morning had raised fears that Indiamight fall short of the follow-on mark of 301.
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The duo's effort was the best by any eighth wicketIndian pair against the West Indies and improved upon the 107 registered byYashpal Sharma and Balwinder Singh Sandhu in the Kingston Test during the1982-83 series.
The Indians, who resumed at their healthy overnightscore of 237 for four, were earlier forced on the backfoot when paceman CameronCuffy dealt a double blow by dismissing V.V.S. Laxman (69) and Sanjay Bangar (0)in consecutive overs. Five runs later, Anil Kumble (3) was sent back by AdamSanford and India crashed to 275 for seven.
India are still 106 runs behind the West Indian first innings score of 501.
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Dravid has so far batted for 436 minutes and hit 23 fours from 345 balls.Sarandeep has been at the crease for 165 minutes and hit one four from 119balls.
PTI
