INDIA require just 118 runs with two days of play remaining, to win the Third Test after the close of play in Bridgetown, Barbados, yesterday. Their pace attack destroyed the West Indies batting and, if they go on to reach their target, it would be only their third test victory in the West Indies.

On a day when an extraordinary 17 wickets fell, India held a 21 run lead from the first innings after being bowled out before tea for 319 but then bowled out the West Indies for just 140. Openers Navjot Sidhu and Venkntn Laxman had made two by the time stumps were drawn four overs early.

The tourists brilliant fightback, after they lost seven wickets for just 60 runs, was spearheaded by the new ball pair of Abey Kuruvilla, who captured five for 68 off 21 overs, and Venkatesh Prasnd, three for 39 off 18 overs, who took care of the West Indies batsmen in just under three and a half hours.

If the West Indies lose, it will be the third time in the last four years that they have lost a test at Kensington Oval. They previously had an impressive record at the ground having lost only three times in the 69 years they have contested Test matches: in 1935 to R.E.S. Wyatt's England, in 1994 to Mike Atherton's England, and in 1995 to Mark Taylor's Australia.