Top 5 India vs West Indies encounters

3) Dravid reigns at Sabina Park, June 10-14, 2006

A decade after the Bridgetown debacle, India once again headed to the Caribbean, this time under the leadership of Rahul Dravid. On the other side, a declining Lara was now the permanent captain of the isle teams.

India had not won a test series in the Caribbean for 35 years. Not since Ajit Wadekar and his boys had spinned their magic.

India dominated the first 2 matches. At Antigua, in the first, last wicket pair of Fidel Edwards and Corey Collymore defied India for 3.1 overs and managed to secure a draw. In the next match, West Indies followed on and at stumps on the 5^th day, were 7 wickets down, while still 79 runs in arrears.

After a third draw, the teams headed to Sabina Park, Jamaica. Batting first, India (shorn of Tendulkar and Ganguly) were bowled out for 200. Captain Dravid, top scored with 81 while his statemate, Anil Kumble, contributed 45.

In response Harbhajan took 5 wickets as the Windies were routed for 103. India then put 171 up on the board, with Dravid (68) standing alone among the ruins. The hosts were set 269 to win. On that wicket this score was well-nigh ungettable.

But the Windies did not surrender. Sarwan resisted with 51, while wicketkeeper, Dinesh Ramdin, remained unbeaten on 62. But they were ultimately bowled out for 219. This time Kumble contributed 6 wickets.

Thus a thrilling test match came to an end. India, deservedly, took the match and the series. Dravid was declared the player of the match as well as the series and a 35 year wait was ended.