<p>A 63-run third-wicket partnership between Rahul Dravid and Abhinav Mukund gave India a solid base. Then the old company of Dravid and VVS Laxman consolidated the early work during their third-wicket alliance worth 54 runs as India went into the tea at 143 for two for an overall lead of 154. <br /><br />The match started 80 minutes behind the scheduled 9.30 am local time, and Vijay made an early exit, snicking a lovely Ravi Rampaul delivery to Carlton Baugh behind the stumps.<br /><br /> The Tamil Nadu right-hander came into the Test series with a lot of expectations of striking it rich to remain in the vicinity of the selectors. But the four innings in the Caribbeans have yielded him a disappointing sequence of 8, 0, 11, 2 so far, and the laboured trudge back to the hut reflected Vijay’s mind. <br /><br />It was not dearth of class or technique that hurt Vijay in this tour so far, but those moments of lack of concentration that have thwarted his desire to produce a big innings. <br /><br />On a cloudy day here, Vijay began confidently and just when he seemed to have moved into his area that little moment of indiscretion returned to haunt him. Rampaul’s delivery was beautiful, but certainly not non-negotiable, but all Vijay could manage was just an edge to Baugh as the pacer broke into a celebratory run. West Indies might have hoped to take out Mukund as well considering his inexperience at the highest level. But the Chennai left-hander showed massive amount of maturity to resist the West Indian bowlers in tough conditions where ball bounced and moved quite appreciably. <br /><br />For a batsman who hitherto has not experienced such playing conditions, Mukund showed remarkable temperament and technique to stay afloat. He was upright while facing the short-pitched deliveries, and didn’t hesitate to free his arms when the opportunity came his way. The signature shot of the morning session was a flick off Fidel Edwards. The shot didn’t reach the boundary, more to do with the heavy outfield, but the stroke mirrored his comfort against deliveries aimed at his ribs.<br /><br /> Standing tall, Mukund rolled his wrists to keep the ball down to the deep square leg area for a couple of runs, and the shot reminded one of former Indian and Tamil Nadu opener Sadagopan Ramesh. <br /><br />However, there was a moment when his presence of mind was put to a stern test. </p>.<p>Steaming in from the Malcolm Marshal end, Edwards hit Mukund on the back side of the helmet, and many would have feared a nervous response from the southpaw, just four innings old in international cricket. But Mukund ducked under the next bouncer calmly, and he even didn’t hesitate to give a stare back to the high-on-adrenaline fast bowler. <br /><br />But then credit also should be given to Dravid for working as a calming influence on his young partner. The veteran of 151 Tests walked up to Mukund when Edwards pinged him on the helmet, and the soothing words and presence of eased his nerves. <br /><br />The lone worry for India the pre-lunch session came when Dravid’s uppish flick off Darren Sammy narrowly evaded a diving Adrian Barath at covers when he was on nine. Mukund departed when he feathered an Edwards snorter to Baugh, but India rode on the mighty shoulders of Dravid and Laxman to reach a position of comfort. </p>
<p>A 63-run third-wicket partnership between Rahul Dravid and Abhinav Mukund gave India a solid base. Then the old company of Dravid and VVS Laxman consolidated the early work during their third-wicket alliance worth 54 runs as India went into the tea at 143 for two for an overall lead of 154. <br /><br />The match started 80 minutes behind the scheduled 9.30 am local time, and Vijay made an early exit, snicking a lovely Ravi Rampaul delivery to Carlton Baugh behind the stumps.<br /><br /> The Tamil Nadu right-hander came into the Test series with a lot of expectations of striking it rich to remain in the vicinity of the selectors. But the four innings in the Caribbeans have yielded him a disappointing sequence of 8, 0, 11, 2 so far, and the laboured trudge back to the hut reflected Vijay’s mind. <br /><br />It was not dearth of class or technique that hurt Vijay in this tour so far, but those moments of lack of concentration that have thwarted his desire to produce a big innings. <br /><br />On a cloudy day here, Vijay began confidently and just when he seemed to have moved into his area that little moment of indiscretion returned to haunt him. Rampaul’s delivery was beautiful, but certainly not non-negotiable, but all Vijay could manage was just an edge to Baugh as the pacer broke into a celebratory run. West Indies might have hoped to take out Mukund as well considering his inexperience at the highest level. But the Chennai left-hander showed massive amount of maturity to resist the West Indian bowlers in tough conditions where ball bounced and moved quite appreciably. <br /><br />For a batsman who hitherto has not experienced such playing conditions, Mukund showed remarkable temperament and technique to stay afloat. He was upright while facing the short-pitched deliveries, and didn’t hesitate to free his arms when the opportunity came his way. The signature shot of the morning session was a flick off Fidel Edwards. The shot didn’t reach the boundary, more to do with the heavy outfield, but the stroke mirrored his comfort against deliveries aimed at his ribs.<br /><br /> Standing tall, Mukund rolled his wrists to keep the ball down to the deep square leg area for a couple of runs, and the shot reminded one of former Indian and Tamil Nadu opener Sadagopan Ramesh. <br /><br />However, there was a moment when his presence of mind was put to a stern test. </p>.<p>Steaming in from the Malcolm Marshal end, Edwards hit Mukund on the back side of the helmet, and many would have feared a nervous response from the southpaw, just four innings old in international cricket. But Mukund ducked under the next bouncer calmly, and he even didn’t hesitate to give a stare back to the high-on-adrenaline fast bowler. <br /><br />But then credit also should be given to Dravid for working as a calming influence on his young partner. The veteran of 151 Tests walked up to Mukund when Edwards pinged him on the helmet, and the soothing words and presence of eased his nerves. <br /><br />The lone worry for India the pre-lunch session came when Dravid’s uppish flick off Darren Sammy narrowly evaded a diving Adrian Barath at covers when he was on nine. Mukund departed when he feathered an Edwards snorter to Baugh, but India rode on the mighty shoulders of Dravid and Laxman to reach a position of comfort. </p>