Wavell Hinds (18) was put out of his misery in the 32nd over of the innings when Anil Kumble trapped him in front of the stumps. Shouldering arms and padding up is a dangerous thing to do to a bowler like Kumble and Hinds paid the price as umpire Asoka de Silva upheld a loud shout. Hinds' 18 took a shade over two hours to score.

Ramnaresh Sarwan showed glimpses of being a class act, but once again frustrated his supporters by getting in without really making it count. Sedate as ever, Sarwan timed the ball well from the moment he came to the crease and seemed to have a fair idea of how to play the spin of Harbhajan and Kumble. It was a tame end when it came as Sarwan (19), driving at a Srinath delivery away from the body dragged the ball back onto his stumps.

Then came the partnership that seems to do all the work when India play West Indies. Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Carl Hooper batted with ease. All of a sudden the ball appeared to come onto the bat nicely, the spin that was smart earlier on became slow and easily smothered. Gaps in the field were created and exploited, particularly by the skipper.

Hooper was at his vintage best, combining a dead straight bat with the poise and balance that makes for maximum result from minimum effort. Taking on the spinners Hooper was severe on anything loose. Full deliveries were stroked delicately past fielders on more than one occasion and Hooper was on his way, scoring at an even clip.

Once again it was Zaheer Khan who accounted for Hooper. After taking elaborate care to set his field on the leg side, especially behind square, the left-arm seamer pushed one through quicker and full. In two minds about going forward or back Hooper pushed at the ball, sending it floating towards cover. Sourav

Ganguly, throwing himself to his left hung onto a good catch, ending Hooper's 38-ball 35.

For his part Chanderpaul was at his stoic best, contributing just 21 in a partnership of 55 for the fourth wicket. When the players marched off the field for tea, West Indies were 118/4.

On this freshly laid Chepauk wicket runs were hard to come by in the first few overs. Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan, sharing the new ball on a hot day kept a good line and length and made sure that loose deliveries were rare. It took as many as nine overs before the first boundary was struck, that too coming off a thick edge past the slip cordon.

Whatever runs came were scored in fits, with Sanjay Bangar's 3rd over, the 14th of the day going for three boundaries. A pull, a glide and a cut, all off the bat of Gayle saw the run rate get a boost. Once again however both batsmen went back into a shell, only opening up in the 20th over when Harbhajan Singh was taken for a couple of boundaries.

Having done all the hard work, Gayle (23 runs, 98 minutes, 75 balls, 5 fours) attempted to heave Harbhajan through midwicket. Hitting against the considerable spin, Gayle only managed a leading edge to Tendulkar at point.

Ramnaresh Sarwan (4 not out) coming to the wicket at the fall of the first wicket used his pad a great deal to keep the spinners out. When he did use the bat though, the ball was timed well and raced away off the bat. Hinds never terribly convincing, somehow managed to keep the bowlers at bay and went to lunch with 18 to his name.

Coach John Wright will take heart from the fact that the Indians did not give away a single extra in the 30 overs they sent down.