ROSEAU, DOMINICA: Solid contributions from the middle and lower order propelled India to 308/6 at stumps on day three of the third and final Test against the West Indies at Dominica, Roseau on Friday.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on 65 and Harbhajan Singh on 12 were the not out batsmen at the crease as the visitors took a healthy lead of 104 with four first innings wickets still in hand.

The West Indies were bowled out for 204 after persistent rain washed out the majority of play on the first two days of the match.

The Indians added 126 runs after tea for the loss of just Suresh Raina's wicket after a flurry of wickets in the post lunch session allowed the home team to claw their way back into the contest.

Raina and Dhoni added 103 runs for the sixth wicket before the former was trapped leg before wicket by Windies pacer Fidel Edwards for exactly 50.

Earlier, the West Indies fought back magnificently in the post lunch session to reduce India to 182/5 at tea.

A brilliant piece of glove work by West Indian wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh off the bowling of part time bowler Shivnarine Chanderpaul resulted in VVS Laxman's dismissal for 56.

Laxman left a delivery outside his off stump but Baugh was quick to whip off the bails when the batsman's foot was in the air to leave the visitors five down after Windies skipper Darren Sammy got rid of Virat Kohli.

Kohli was caught down the leg side by Baugh after the latter put on 52 runs for the fourth wicket with Laxman. Kohli made 30 and fell with the Indian total on 168.

India lost their third wicket after lunch as Abhinav Mukund fell to Devendra Bishoo after a well made 62. Mukund was caught at forward short leg by Adrian Barath.

Mukund brought up his maiden Test fifty, and was involved in an unbeaten partnership of 84 runs with Laxman for the third wicket as India played themselves into a healthy position of 102/2 at lunch.

Carrying on from their overnight score of 8/0, India were delivered a couple of early blows by the hosts as they lost the wickets of Murali Vijay and Rahul Dravid.

Vijay played at a delivery leaving him slightly only to be caught behind by Baugh off the bowling of Edwards after scoring just five.

A huge gap between Dravid's bat and pad led to his dismissal as the 'Wall' was bowled by Sammy. He too made just five before making his way back to the pavilion.



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