Which was the last Test to have a rest day? (26 September 2001)
The India versus West Indies Test at Bridgetown, Barbados, saw the second
day being declared a rest day. Traditionally, it was the fourth day that
served as a rest day in Tests. But in this instance the rest day was
occasioned by the fact that March 28, the day we were talking about, was
Good Friday, the day when the whole of Christendom commemorates Jesus
Christ's crucifixion.
The Test played from 27 March to 31 March then saw India come desperately
close to victory. After bowling the West Indies out for 298, India put 319
on the board. Sachin Tendulkar being given out for 92 off a no-ball was the
crucial blow for India, in the light of later happenings.
Mumbai medium-pacer Abey Kuruvilla had his finest moment on the world stage
claiming 5-68 as the Windies were skittled out for 140 in their second
innings. The Indian supporters in the Caribbean got busy arranging victory
celebrations. It seemed like it was going to be 1971 all over again. After
all, India needed only 120 runs in the fourth innings to register a famous
win.
But the pitch was keeping very low. And the Indian batsmen had lost
confidence. A former Indian captain, who was the senior most player on the
tour, ventured to say that he thought the target was ungettable. He was to
soon prove right. In 35.5 overs, India were dismissed for 81 by Messrs
Ambrose, Bishop and Rose. West Indies ran home winners by 38 runs after
being on the backfoot for the better part of the match. It was a
Christ-like resurrection.
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