Windies reel under huge India total

KOLKATA,  (Reuters) – Vangipurappu Laxman and  Mahendra Singh Dhoni completed centuries as India’s batsmen  racked up a huge first innings total against West Indies on the  second day of the second test at Eden Gardens today.
The tourists then lost two quick wickets before bad light  brought a premature end to the day’s play to leave India firmly  in the driving seat.
India, opting to bat first after winning the toss, declared  their innings at 631 for seven, 3.2 overs after tea, with Laxman  (176) and Ravichandran Ashwin (four) at the crease.
Laxman and Dhoni (144) added 224 runs for the seventh wicket  to pile on the misery for the visitors, who are down 1-0 in the  three-test series.
West Indies’ problems were compounded when openers Adrian  Barath and Kraigg Brathwaite were dismissed before bad light  brought an abrupt close, 52 minutes before schedule, with the  visitors reeling at 34 for two.
Barath (1) edged paceman Umesh Yadav to Virender Sehwag at  slip while Brathwaite (17), dropped earlier by substitute Virat  Kohli off off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, was given out caught  at short leg off the same bowler.
The 37-year-old Laxman, unbeaten on 73 overnight, reached  his fifth century at Eden Gardens and 17th overall with a  trademark on-driven boundary off West Indies captain Darren  Sammy in the first session.
Dhoni was the more attacking of the duo and got to his fifth  test hundred with a single, 21 months since he recorded his last  ton at the same venue.
The dynamic India captain, known for his powerful hitting,  blasted 10 fours and five sixes during his 175-ball stay at the  wicket to take India to their second highest total against West  Indies.
Dhoni was twice caught behind in the morning session off  paceman Kemar Roach but on both occasions the deliveries were  ruled no-balls.
He edged Roach in the same fashion for the third time to  wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh after tea but this time the delivery  was legitimate.
Resuming on the overnight 346-5, Laxman, India’s stylish  middle-order batsman, negotiated the second new ball, three  deliveries old from the first day, with Yuvraj Singh to add 50  for the sixth wicket partnership.
Left-hander Yuvraj looked uncomfortable during his 35-ball  stay at the crease and was peppered with short-pitched  deliveries by the West Indies pacemen, a bouncer from Fidel  Edwards hitting him on his shoulder.
Yuvraj was finally out leg before wicket to Sammy for 25  after a few close shaves, bringing Dhoni to the crease.
The teams will play the third and final test in Mumbai from  Nov. 22.