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Summary India declared 1st innings at 631-7 after tea on the 2nd day of the 2nd Test against WI in Kolkata.
V.V.S. Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored impressive centuries Tuesday before India declared its first innings at an intimidating 631-7 on day two of the second cricket test against the West Indies. Laxman (176 not out) and Dhoni (144) added 224 runs for the seventh wicket, a partnership dominated by Dhoni, who scored 116 of his runs in the second session.The declaration came a little after Dhoni was dismissed by pace bowler Kemar Roach. Dhonis 175-ball innings contained 10 boundaries and five sixes including two in one over from Kraigg Braithwaite. Laxman stroked 12 fours and faced 280 balls.It was the second-highest score for India against the West Indies, only 13 short of its record 644-7 declared at Kanpur in 1979.Dhoni reached his century with a single to long-off from Braithwaite, his fifth test hundred and the first in 21 months since a 132 not out against South Africa at the same venue in February 2010.Dhoni showed his intent of speeding up the runrate as he often stepped out to both pace bowlers and spinners. Dhoni benefited twice from no balls when he otherwise would have been out. Roach had him caught by wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh attempting a drive on 13, and again as the batsman slashed at a good-length delivery when on 16.Dhoni was finally caught by Baugh off Roach late in the day when he edged a ball pitched around the off stump. Dhoni became the third century-maker for India in the innings after Rahul Dravid (119) and Laxman, who had got to the three-figure mark in the first session.It was Laxmans fifth century at the venue, equaling former India captain Mohammad Azharuddins record for the most enturies by a batsman at the Eden Gardens. Laxman, who resumed on 73 in an overnight total of 346-5, saw off the early threat of the second new ball and completed his century with a four off pace bowler Darren Sammy.Laxman, who had addded 140 for the fourth wicket with Dravid earlier on Monday, continued with Dhoni and played some fine shots on either side of the wicket. India lost the wicket of Yuvraj Singh in the first session when he was trapped lbw by Sammy for 25 with a delivery that came in sharply and rapped his pads.Yuvraj, who was instrumental in India winning this years World Cup, struggled against the seaming ball and failed to build his case for a permanent slot in the test squad.
