Dravid 36th Test Ton Leads India's Eden Domination

Kolkata: Rahul Dravid (119) and VVS Laxman (73*) added 140-run stand to power India to 346 for five against the West Indies on the first day of the second Test at the Eden Gardens on Monday.

Dravid continued his good form as he completed his 36th Test century - fifth of the year - to lead the Indian innings. Dravid hit two sixes and nine boundaries in his 207 balls fine knock and along the way became the highest run-getter of the year 2011.

Laxman continued his good form at Eden as he scored his 56th fifty to extend West Indies' misery. Laxman hit five boundaries in his fluent 116-ball innings and took 83 balls to reach his fifty.

Sachin Tendulkar pulled a Devendra Bishoo delivery straight into the hands of Marlon Samuels at short mid-wicket as the master failed to score the elusive ton again on Monday.

Tendulkar hit 5 fours in his 38-run knock.

After the dismissal of Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman took India to 212 for 3 at tea.

Dravid hit his 62nd half-century and alongwith Tendulkar scored at a fluent pace.

Dravid's fifty came after Fidel Edwards gave the West Indies the second breakthrough when he had Gautam Gambhir caught by Adrian Barath in the covers.

Gambhir hit 8 fours in his 65-run knock and was dismissed while chasing a wide delivery.

Gambhir hit his 17th half-century and alongwith Dravid took India to 132/1 at lunch.

Gambhir played second fiddle as long as Virender Sehwag was at the crease but opened up after his dismissal and reached his fifty off 78 balls.

Captain Darren Sammy gave the West Indies the first breakthrough when he had Sehwag caught by Adrian Barath at short mid-on.

Sehwag hit 8 fours in his 33-ball 38 and alongwith Gambhir had brought up the Indian 50 in the eleventh over.

This was after Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat.

India are unchanged from the last Test, while the West Indies have brought in Kemar Roach in place of Ravi Rampaul and Adrian Barath comes in for Kieran Powell.

Brief scores
India 346 for 5 (Dravid 119, Laxman 79*, Gambhir 65)