INDIA v WEST INDIES 1983-84

At Bombay, November 24, 26, 27, 28, 29. Drawn. A turning pitch and the winning of the toss offered India an ideal opportunity to reduce West Indies' lead in the series. But they let it slip by dropping no fewer than nine catches. India made four changes after their defeat at Ahmedabad. Vengsarkar came back for Patil, and Madan Lal, Malhotra and the off-spinner Yadav, who had not played a Test match for almost two years, replaced Sandhu, Navjot Singh and Azad. West Indies gave Richardson, aged 21, his first Test cap, Logie being omitted.

Despite Gavaskar's cheap dismissal, India were well placed at 259 for four after the first day, thanks to a glittering century, off 135 balls, by Vengsarkar and his second-wicket partnership of 133 with Gaekwad. Shastri and Binny took care of the second new ball next morning, staying together beyond lunch, but the lower order caved in. India's initiative would have evaporated had Kirmani not been allowed three lives.

For West Indies, Greenidge and Richardson were both out at 47, but a century off 130 balls by Richards took them to 204 for three at the end of the third day. Richards was let off at 40 and 58. Haynes was out in a rare manner, handled the ball, a fate previously suffered by only three batsmen in Test cricket. Haynes brushed the ball away with his hand, having deflected it towards his wickets off bat and pad. Umpire Gothoskar asked Kapil Dev, the bowler, if he wished to withdraw his appeal before ruling Haynes out.

India took the upper hand by removing Gomes and Richards with only 34 runs added on the fourth morning. But balance was restored by a sixth-wicket partnership of 119 between Dujon and Lloyd who, between them, survived five chances. India's first-innings lead of 70 was cancelled out by their loss of two second-innings wickets, including Gavaskar's, for only 6 runs; and in effect they were three down as Vengsarkar had injured his back and was not expected to bat. Shastri and Malhotra, however, saw the day out, and, playing more aggressively on the fifth morning, took India to 91 before Shastri was run out.

Binny and Kapil Dev followed quickly and India, with three and a half hours left, were only 191 in front. But Malhotra and Madan Lal removed all danger and Kapil Dev was able to declare 243 in front, giving his bowlers 156 minutes in which to bowl West Indies out. With the ball turning West Indies lost their fourth wicket at 68, in the seventh over of the last hour, but Gomes and Lloyd arrested the slide.