Bowlers give India A upper hand

India A gained the upper hand in the second unofficial Test against West Indies A in St Vincent, after their bowlers restricted the hosts to 212 for 8 on the opening day. India were in a good position to bowl West Indies out for under 200 but a lower-order resistance, and Kraigg Brathwaite, who batted out the day to finish on an unbeaten 66, ensured that didn't happen.

West Indies, who chose to bat, lost opener Justin Guillen early. Donovan Pagon followed soon, bowled by legspinner Rahul Sharma. But Brathwaite held firm and added 48 with Nkrumah Bonner for the third wicket. Unfortunately for West Indies, the middle-order batsmen, despite getting starts were unable to push on. Bonner fell for 25, Jonathan Carter was dismissed for 19 and Kyle Corbin departed for 13. When Devon Thomas was trapped in front by Rohit Sharma, West Indies were in trouble at 130 for 6.

Brathwaite, however, was defiant and received good support from Jason Holder, who made 20 in a 34-run stand. Veerasammy Permaul did better, scoring a quick 36 before being cleaned up by Ashok Dinda. Permaul and Brathwaite took West Indies past 200, with the opener unbeaten at stumps, having faced 292 balls.

For India, Shami Ahmed, Ashok Dinda and Rohit Sharma picked up two wickets each.