India clinched their first series victory against West Indies in 23 years when they registered acomfortable eight-wicket win in the second Test at Chennai today to take a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing just 81 runs for victory after West Indies were bundled out for 229 in their second innings, India reached thetarget in 21.1 overs to win the second consecutive match inside four days.
Coming on the heels of a record innings and 112-run win in the first Test in Mumbai, the victory today was just thesecond instance when India had defeated West Indies in back-to-back Test matches. It was also only the third series victoryfor India against the West Indies in the 17 they have played so far, the previous two coming in 1970-71 in West Indies andin 1978-79 at home.
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The victory was never in doubt once West Indies failed to set a decent target for the home team but West Indian skipperCarl Hooper managed to claim two consolation wickets by dismissing opening batsmen Virender Sehwag (33) and SanjayBangar (20).
Sachin Tendulkar, who remained unbeaten on 16 in the company of Rahul Dravid on six, hit off the winning runswhen he took a three against Gareth Breese.
Slight drizzle threatened to delay India's celebrations but the two teams continued to play and the home team, whichhad gained a 149-run first innings lead, finished the match midway into the second session.
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The West Indian innings folded 46 minutes before lunch with Zaheer Khan uprooting the off-stump of Jermaine Lawson. The Indians were 28 without loss at lunch with VirenderSehwag batting on 15 and Sanjay Bangar on 10.
Sehwag, celebrating his 24th birthday, hit a 30-ball 33 which included a huge six off Breese.
Like in the first innings, Mervyn Dillon and Pedro Collins were impressive in the short spells they bowled but it was Hooperwho brought some smiles on the faces of his teammates.
Sehwag was the first one to go, deceived by the flight of Hooper's delivery to be stumped by Ridley Jacobs when thetotal was 50. Bangar followed him 11 runs later, caught by Chris Gayle in the slips.
Tendulkar and Dravid, who was dropped off the first ball he faced, then took India to their target without any furtherhiccup.
The victory was the 13th for Saurav Ganguly as captain, just one away from Mohammad Azharuddin's record of 14. Gangulywas injured today in the field when he collided with Anil Kumble as they both went for a catch of Collins at deepmid-wicket.
Ganguly had to be carried off in a stretcher and was later diagnosed to be suffering from lower back injury. Doctors said it would have been difficult for him to bat in the Indian second innings today but his services were notrequired. He was expected to be fit for the third Test starting in Kolkata.
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PTI
