Ravi Ashwin beat Marlon Samuels in flight. Photo: Associated Press

Jermaine Blackwood gets on top of the bounce against India on July 30, 2016. Photo: Associated Press

Kraigg Brathwaite fended a short ball to forward short leg. Photo: Associated Press

Opting to bat first at Sabina Park, West Indies were sent reeling by seamer Ishant Sharma, slumping to seven runs for three wickets in the morning’s sixth over before recovering to be dismissed on the stroke of tea for 196 in their first innings.

The revival was spearheaded by Jermaine Blackwood who punched a run-a-ball 62 while fellow Jamaican Marlon Samuels carved out 37, in a crucial 81-run fourth wicket stand.

Debutant fast bowler Miguel Cummins struck a breezy, unbeaten 24 down the order to help West Indies muster some precious runs deep in the second session but the other batsman all failed miserably.

Off-spinner Ravi Ashwin was the architect of the Windies demise, snatching five for 52 to put India in command of the contest. Seamers Mohammed Shami (2-23) and Ishant (2-53) provided the support.

In reply, left-handed opener Lokesh Rahul carved out a fluent unbeaten 75 to push India into a strong position on 126 for one at the close – only 70 runs behind West Indies.

He put on 87 for the first wicket with Shikhar Dhawan who made 27, and has so far added a further 39 for the second wicket with Cheteshwar Pujara, who was unbeaten on 18.