Port of Spain:India gave themselves the best chance to win the second Test against the West Indies with an ultra-aggressive batting approach after lead pacer Mohammed Siraj produced career-best figures on another rain-hit day here. Siraj's five-wicket haul in the morning session allowed India to bowl out the West Indies for 255 in their first innings after the hosts started day four at 229 for five.
Having gained a massive 183-run first innings lead, India went for an all-out attack in the second innings to smash 181 for two in 24 overs before declaring 35 minutes after the tea break to set the home team a 365-run target. India raced to 100 runs in 12.2 overs, the fastest team hundred in Test cricket history.
At stumps on day four, West Indies were 76 for 2 in 32 overs with R Ashwin removing Kraigg Brathwaite (28) and Kirk McKenzie (0). The hosts need another 289 runs on the final day for an improbable win. Tagnarine Chanderpaul and Jermaine Blackwood were batting on 24 and 20 respectively at close of play.
The day saw multiple rain stoppages and only three overs could be bowled in the afternoon session. Rain is expected on day five as well and the unpredictable weather played a role in India's ultra attacking mindset with skipper Rohit Sharma (57 off 44) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (38 off 30) going hammer and tongs from ball one.
Also read-India skittle out West Indies for 255 before Rohit smashes his fastest Test fifty
Ishan Kishan also got into the act with an unbeaten 52 off 34 balls in his second Test and shared an unconquered 79-run stand with Shubman Gill (29 off 37). Coming ahead of Virat Kohli at number four considering the stage of the game, Kishan made the opportunity count with a power packed effort comprising four boundaries and a couple of sixes.
Kishan clobbered Kemar Roach for a couple of sixes, one over extra and the other was a one handed hit over the bowler's head, reminding one of the injured Rishabh Pant. The second six brought his maiden half-century and Rohit expectedly called both Kishan and Gill back into the dressing room. Rohit himself was in devastating touch in the morning session as he struck his fastest fifty, off 35 balls, in Test cricket.