Dhoni, Laxman give India control
A 224-run partnership between VVS Laxman and captain MS Dhoni put India well on top against the West Indies on day two of the second Test in Kolkata.
Centuries from Laxman and Dhoni, together with an opening-day ton by Rahul Dravid, saw India reach 631 for seven declared before West Indies reached 34 for two at the close of play at Eden Gardens.
Following the dismissals of Adrian Barath for one and Kraigg Brathwaite (17), the tourists ended the second day 597 runs in arrears when bad light forced a premature end.
Resuming on 346 for five, the hosts added 87 to their total before bad light brought a premature end to the morning session.
Laxman started the day 73 not out alongside Yuvraj Singh and soon set about advancing towards his fourth Test ton against the Windies.
Yuvraj survived the opening exchanges with Kemar Roach and Fidel Edwards, only to fall lbw for 25 in Darren Sammy's first over of the day.
Undeterred, Laxman brought up his 17th Test hundred soon after with a trademark shot for four, whipping through the onside off Sammy.
Yuvraj's dismissal saw the arrival of Dhoni and the India captain enjoyed two big slices of luck when he twice edged to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh - each time off careless no balls from Roach.
After taking India to 433 by lunch, the pair pushed on in the afternoon session as they drove India past the 600 mark as Dhoni raced to a hundred and Laxman past 150.
Laxman and Dhoni scored 180 runs in the session, with Laxman going into the break unbeaten on 168 and Dhoni not out 138.
The 200-partnership came up in the 145th over, the best so far in the innings as Laxman and Dhoni plundered 19 runs off Brathwaite, including a four and a six to the India captain.
Shortly after India passed 600 and eventually declared on 631 for seven shortly after Dhoni's dismissal.
Dhoni had hit a straight six off Roach in the first over after tea, but was dismissed off the next ball when he flailed wildly outside off stump and edged to wicketkeeper Baugh.
With Dhoni falling on 144, four short of his highest Test score, India were 620 for seven.
Laxman was unbeaten on 176 and Ravichandran Ashwin was not out four when the declaration was made 11 runs later.
At the close, West Indies were 34 for two with Kirk Edwards unbeaten on 12 and Darren Bravo not out four, still needing 397 runs to avoid the follow-on.
Following the dismissals of Adrian Barath for one and Kraigg Brathwaite (17), the tourists ended the second day 597 runs in arrears when bad light forced a premature end.
Resuming on 346 for five, the hosts added 87 to their total before bad light brought a premature end to the morning session.
Laxman started the day 73 not out alongside Yuvraj Singh and soon set about advancing towards his fourth Test ton against the Windies.
Yuvraj survived the opening exchanges with Kemar Roach and Fidel Edwards, only to fall lbw for 25 in Darren Sammy's first over of the day.
Undeterred, Laxman brought up his 17th Test hundred soon after with a trademark shot for four, whipping through the onside off Sammy.
Yuvraj's dismissal saw the arrival of Dhoni and the India captain enjoyed two big slices of luck when he twice edged to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh - each time off careless no balls from Roach.
After taking India to 433 by lunch, the pair pushed on in the afternoon session as they drove India past the 600 mark as Dhoni raced to a hundred and Laxman past 150.
Laxman and Dhoni scored 180 runs in the session, with Laxman going into the break unbeaten on 168 and Dhoni not out 138.
The 200-partnership came up in the 145th over, the best so far in the innings as Laxman and Dhoni plundered 19 runs off Brathwaite, including a four and a six to the India captain.
Shortly after India passed 600 and eventually declared on 631 for seven shortly after Dhoni's dismissal.
Dhoni had hit a straight six off Roach in the first over after tea, but was dismissed off the next ball when he flailed wildly outside off stump and edged to wicketkeeper Baugh.
With Dhoni falling on 144, four short of his highest Test score, India were 620 for seven.
Laxman was unbeaten on 176 and Ravichandran Ashwin was not out four when the declaration was made 11 runs later.
At the close, West Indies were 34 for two with Kirk Edwards unbeaten on 12 and Darren Bravo not out four, still needing 397 runs to avoid the follow-on.
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