Roston Chase opened up on his batting strategy after his rescue act for West Indies on day one of the second Test against India in Hyderabad.
West Indies seemed to have learnt little from their mauling in the first Test at Rajkot. In reply to India’s mammoth 649, West Indies were all out for just 181 and 196 to lose the game by an innings and 272 runs. And they looked well on their way to suffer more humiliation after losing half of their side for just 113 runs on the board.
However, Roston Chase led a spirited fightback, scoring 98 not out as West Indies ended the day on 295 for 7. He received good support from Shane Dowrich and skipper Jason Holder. This was the first time, the Caribbean outfit’s innings lasted beyond 80 overs for the first time in eight innings in India.
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Choosing to bat first on a wicket, most of the West Indian batsmen failed to apply themselves. They lost three wickets each in the first two sessions, scoring 86 in the first and 111 in the second. But 98 runs at a loss of just one wicket in the final session helped them finish the day strongly.
Speaking after the day’s play, Chase spoke on his innings. The right-hander, who has scored all his Test centuries so far against Asian teams only, said that staying patient and playing according to strength helped him.
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“I just took my time, more than what I did in the first game where I thought I just went away from my strengths and tried to over-hit the ball which is not necessary on outfields like the ones you get here,” Chase said after stumps. “I was working hard with my coaches. And as I said in the press conference, it is about believing in the processes and in your game and the results would come. I didn’t worry about what was happening at the other end and was only looking to focus on my game.”
Chase arrived at the crease when West Indies were reeling at 92/4. He attacked the spinners right from the start, showing a particular liking for Ravindra Jadeja’s left-arm spins. The West Indies star hit Jadeja for two early fours and a six and reached his fifty off 80 balls. At the end of the day, he hit 7 fours and a six.
“The spinners dominate the bowling in first-class cricket in the Caribbean so I am accustomed to playing spin bowling,” said the 26-year-old. “I thought the wickets here would spin a lot more but they are really good.”
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Chase will walk out to bat on 98 on Saturday morning and he won’t be losing sleep overnight.
“I can’t do anything over night. My process is simple, I don’t play the ball before it leaves the bowler’s hand. I like to stay comfortable,” he said.