Kingston (Jamaica) (AFP) – Ajinkya Rahane completed a seventh Test century and Roston Chase claimed his first five-wicket innings haul, as India declared their first innings at 500 for nine at tea on the third day of the second Test at Sabina Park, Jamaica on Monday.

India now lead by a massive 304 runs on first innings, after bundling out the hosts for just 196 on the first day.

Forecasted inclement weather interrupted the session and is likely to cause further disruption late on the third day and into the fourth day of the match.

Indian captain Virat Kohli’s declaration came at the fall of the ninth wicket, when Umesh Yadav miscued a swing at Chase for West Indies captain Jason Holder to take the catch at midwicket and give the 24-year-old innings figures of five for 121 off 36.1 overs in just his second Test match.

Any hopes India had of putting the West Indies opening batsmen under pressure immediately were ended by the return of the showers and an early tea was taken.

Just the day before Chase had commented on the West Indies selectors advising him to work on his bowling even though he had been selected primarily as a middle-order batsman. 

He had also bowled extensively in the first Test in Antigua, delivering 34 overs for 102 runs without taking a wicket in India’s only innings at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

In contrast, premier spinner Devendra Bishoo claimed one wicket for 107 off 35 overs and will be under pressure to retain his place in the team for the remainder of the four-match series.

Rahane had survived a searching examination from Holder and benefited from a dropped chance off Bishoo in the morning session under clear skies and blistering sunshine.

As the clouds rolled in and wickets fell at the other end after lunch, the 28-year-old remained focussed on gradually extending his side’s first innings advantage while also keeping an eye on the personal milestone, which he duly achieved.

In a session interrupted twice by rain, Chase dismissed Amit Mishra and Mohammed Shami off successive balls before Yadav prevented the hat-trick. 

With Rahane continuing to play cautiously, the tailender heaved four boundaries in an innings of 19 before another attempted big hit gave the bowler his fifth victim and prompted the declaration.

Rahane’s unbeaten 108 occupied just over five hours in which he faced 237 balls, striking 13 fours and three sixes.