OTD: Navjot Singh Sidhu’s second slowest double century in Tests on a snail-paced pitch in Trinidad in 1997

In this article, we will discuss On This Day: Navjot Singh Sidhu’s second slowest double century in Tests on a snail-paced pitch in Trinidad in 1997 century. Playing in the West Indies before the turn of this century was one of the toughest tasks for a batter. West Indies had a lethal bowling attack and the conditions also posed a massive challenge. Performing in those circumstances was considered a big achievement for any batter. The India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu played one such outstanding knock against West Indies on this day in 1997, which is also remembered as the second slowest double century in Test cricket. 

India takes on West Indies in Trinidad

India and West Indies played the second match of the 5-match Test series in Port of Spain. The track in Trinidad was very slow and the batters had to put in a lot of effort to extract runs. In those conditions, West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first. The home team had a shaky start with four key batters including Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul back in the pavilion before West Indies could add 100 runs to their tally. Resilience from the middle order saved the day for the home team as Carl Hooper and Roland Holder guided West Indies to 296 runs in the first innings. Anil Kumble bowled brilliantly to pick up 5 wickets in the first innings. 

West Indies had the deadly duo of Courtney Walsh and Curtley Ambrose to put the Indian batting unit under pressure. Sidhu was aware of this fact and he displayed utmost discipline to play one of the finest knocks in his Test career. After VVS Laxman was dismissed for a duck, Sidhu and Dravid built an important 171-run partnership. Later Sidhu was assisted by the Indian skipper Sachin Tendulkar who scored 88 runs. The opener Navjot Singh Sidhu went on to complete his double century as he smashed 201 runs off 491 deliveries at a strike rate of 40.93. Courtesy of this knock India posted 436 runs on the board at the end of the first innings and took a huge lead. 

On this kind of pitch, the expected result was a draw and the match progressed in that direction only. West Indies batted much better in the second innings before the match ended in a stalemate, they had 299 runs in their account at the loss of 6 wickets. The contest ended in a gritty draw and Sidhu was awarded the player of the match for his phenomenal show of resilience with his batting.