Top 5 India vs West Indies encounters

4) India collapse at Bridgetown, Mar 27-31, 1997

A Sachin Tendulkar led team India toured West Indies in the 1996-97 season. Four of the five test matches, were drawn with the last two, not even reaching the third innings. However, the series was decided in the third match.

Brian Lara stood in as captain for the injured Courtney Walsh. Both, Lara and Tendulkar, were at the peak of their batting powers and the contest was keenly anticipated.

At the behest of the captains, frustrated by featherbeds, a pitch was prepared with more grass than usual at Kensington Oval. It was also dry and hard and the seven fast bowlers – all six-footers – were encouraged by its progressively uneven bounce and lateral movement.

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Sachin put West Indies in to bat after winning the toss. The hosts reached 298 on the back of an unbeaten 137 from Shivnarine Chanderpaul. The southpaw had come in at one down and spent 446 minutes at the crease. Venkatesh Prasad got 5 wickets.

India replied strongly through the blades of Dravid (78) and Tendulkar (92) and managed a 21 run lead. West Indies were then reduced to 107 for 9 in spite of Lara’s counter attacking 45.

Then the last wicket partnership of Curtley Ambrose and Mervyn Dillon took them to 140. This time Abey Kuruvilla got 5 wickets.

India were left to chase a measly 120. Or so it seemed. Ambrose, Ian Bishop and Franklyn Rose responded with irresistible fast bowling. The much wanted Indian batting lineup collapsed spectacularly. The only Indian batsman to reach double figures was opener, VVS Laxman.

India were bowled out for 81 in less than 36 overs. In his autobiography, Tendulkar reveals he wept in disappointment. The match ultimately decided the series 1-0 in West Indies’ favour.