Laxman, Dravid fifties propel India

VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid both struck fifties to leave India in a strong position at the close of day four in the second Test against West Indies in Barbados.

Laxman, who scored 85 in the first innings, was unbeaten on 72 at the close while Dravid made 55 as India finished the day on 229 for three in their second innings - an overall lead of 240 over West Indies heading into the final day.

Aside from the experienced duo, India opener Abhinav Mukund (48) and Virat Kohli (26 not out) also contributed to India's total as the tourists, who lead the three-match series 1-0, all but ensured they cannot lose.

West Indies were made to toil by the Indian top order for much of the day, but they could hardly have had a better start on Friday morning.

After another delayed start due to rain, India lost opener Murali Vijay in the second full over when he nicked Ravi Rampaul through to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh without adding to his overnight three.

That left India on 26 for one and with an overall lead of 37, but West Indies' hopes of building on that breakthrough were thwarted by the determined Dravid and Mukund.

Dravid, who was man of the match in the first Test win after scoring 40 and 112, survived a scare on nine when he clipped a Darren Sammy delivery to midwicket where Adrian Barath looked to have claimed a fine diving catch low to the ground.

However, after a lengthy delay, it was ruled the catch had not been taken cleanly and the home side's celebrations were cut short.

Following that, Dravid and Mukund slowly began to take the game away from their hosts with a second-wicket stand of 63.

That came to an end when Mukund was sent back to the pavilion by a superb rising delivery from Fidel Edwards, with the ball catching the opener's gloves on the way through to Baugh.

However, that was a rare bit of joy for West Indies and Dravid and Laxman joined forces to add a further 65 runs before the former flashed at a ball from Edwards in the final session and was caught by Ramnaresh Sarwan at slip.

Dravid's runs came off 171 balls and included three fours as he made his 60th Test half-century.

Laxman also reached his fifty - his 51st in Tests - but survived a dropped caught and bowled chance by Sammy on 69 before ending the day with a 17th Test century still in his sights.