Mumbai, Nov 23: After a strong showing on the first day of the Mumbai Test against India, West Indies consolidated their position on Day 2 steered by a sensational 166 by Darren Bravo. The visitors had posted a mammoth score of 575 for the loss of nine wickets by the end of the day.

West Indies lost just a wicket each in the first two sessions of the day’s play. Kirk Edwards, having played extremely well for his 86 runs, edged an Ishant Sharma delivery through to MS Dhoni which ended his innings within the first hour of the day. But after that Darren Bravo and Kieran Powell dug in to help extend the visitors’ strong position. Bravo reached his century a couple of overs before the lunch interval with a superb cover drive off R Ashwin.

Powell, on the other hand, reached his half-century after lunch, but like Adrian Barath, Kraigg Brathwaite and Edwards before him, failed to reach the three-figure mark. He was dismissed by a quicker delivery from Pragyan Ojha, an attempted cut resulting in an edge to Dhoni who completed a good catch. Powell went for a well-made 81 after being involved in a 160-run stand with Bravo for the fourth wicket which also saw Bravo going past the 150-run mark. The visitors were 474 for four at the fall of Powell’s wicket.

Having conceded 111 runs from 30 overs in the morning session to the visitors, the Indians turned defensive in the second session by spreading the field out. Dhoni even turned to Virender Sehwag (16 overs), Virat Kohli (two overs) and Sachin Tendulkar (six overs) for that elusive wicket but the bowling changes were futile. India bowled an astonishing 36 overs between lunch and tea, 22 of which were bowled in the first hour after lunch, but the West Indies remained resolute and went in to tea comfortably placed at 494 for four in 157 overs.

India’s luck, however, changed in the final session of the day’s play. Varun Aaron induced an edge from Bravo in the seventh over of the post-tea session to earn his maiden Test wicket and bring an end to Bravo’s innings on 166.

From 518 for five, the West Indies lost their next four wickets in quick succession to end Day 2 at 575 for the loss of nine wickets. Aaron picked up wickets No. 6 and 7 – Carlton Baugh (4) and Darren Sammy (3) – while R Ashwin accounted for Ravi Rampaul (10) and Marlon Samuels (61).

Fidel Edwards (7*) and Devendra Bishoo (2*) were holding fort for the visitors at stumps.

Brief scores:

At end of Day 2: West Indies 1st innings 575/9 in 181.0 overs (Darren Bravo 166, Kirk Edwards 86, R Ashwin 4/154)

At end of Day 1: West Indies 1st innings 267/2 in 91.0 overs (Kraigg Brathwaite 68, Kirk Edwards 65*, R Ashwin 2/86)