Fourth Test heads for draw as no play on penultimate day

The fourth and final Test between India and West Indies is heading for a draw as heavy rains, wet outfield and soggy conditions prevented play even on the fourth day at the Queens's Park Oval here on Sunday.

Though the day began on a bright and sunny note, the outfield remained water-logged due to overnight rains and many areas around were dug up to dry in sunshine in the absence of super sopper with the ground staff for faster drying.

Unlike in the past three days, umpires Red Tucker and Nigel Llong decided not to inspect the ground again and ruled out play for the day even before the first session could begin.

India's head coach Anil Kumble, skipper Virat Kohli and manager Riyaz Bagwan were on the ground when the umpires walked into to inspect its condition, especially in the outfield around.

Expressing anguish and disappoint over the loss of play from post-lunch session on first day (Thursday) till Sunday, Kohli tweeted that "?rains are annoying when a match is going on #TestOfPatience."

Heavy downpour on the first day washed off rest of the game after 105 minutes of play when the hosts were on 62/2 after 22 overs.

Unlike in the third Test at St Lucia last week, which India won by a huge 237-run margin on August 13, Windies skipper Jason Holder opted to bat first on winning the toss.

Opener Kraigg Brathwaite (32) and veteran batsman Marlon Samuels (4) were at the crease when rain interrupted the match ahead of lunch.

The hosts got off to a poor start, losing opener Leon Johnson (9) and one-down Darren Bravo (10) cheaply to seamer Ishant Sharma and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin respectively.

The visitors, eyeing to consolidate their numero uno status in Test cricket, went in with a different strategy in the match with Kohli preferring an additional batsman in contrast to his usual six batsman-five bowlers' theory.

India lead the four-match series 2-0, after the second Test at St. Kitts ended in a draw.

Brief Scores: West Indies 62/2 (Kraigg Brathwaite 32 not out, Darren Bravo 10, Marlon Samuels 4 not out; Ishant Sharma 1/7, Ravichandran Ashwin 1/22) vs India.

--IANS

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