Rohit Sharma (127*) had a dream debut, bringing up a brilliant hundred when the team really needed it on the second day of the first Test against West Indies at Kolkata.
Giving him company and at the brink of his own century is all rounder R Ashwin (92*), who stitched together a partnership of 198 runs for the seventh wicket to rescue India after the famed Indian batting line-up collapsed on the second day of the Kolkata Test.
Sharma seems to be stepping into the shoes of VVS Laxman, batting valiantly with the tail on his debut and holding the innings together.
Though he got his century off an edge that went past the slip cordon, Rohit has been in fine touch through the day, playing an innings worthy of a true Test batsman.
India now stand at 354/6 at stumps, with a first innings lead of 120 runs.
India went into lunch with a rather shaky 120/5 after Shane Shillingford wreaked havoc with a sensational four-wicket haul that included the ultimate prize of Sachin Tendulkar.
Shillingford (4/130) was impressive as he troubled the Indians with his accurate line and length but Tendulkar was very unlucky to be adjudged leg before by umpire Nigel Llong.
{{/usCountry}}Shillingford (4/130) was impressive as he troubled the Indians with his accurate line and length but Tendulkar was very unlucky to be adjudged leg before by umpire Nigel Llong.
{{/usCountry}}He undoubtedly beat the retiring-legend with a 'doosra' but the ball hit Tendulkar high on the back thigh and the TV replays suggested that the ball would have gone over the stumps.
Tendulkar (10) looked in good touch as he hit two magnificent boundaries before umpire cut short his stay at the crease. As he walked back, Tendulkar got a standing ovation from the crowd at Eden Gardens.
Anticipating Tendulkar's arrival, the crowd had cheered lustily as soon as Murali Vijay (26) was stumped by Ramdin off Shillingford, who completed his 50 Test scalps on Thursday.
It looked odd but not surprising that the fans cheered fall of wicket as it brought the iconic batsman at the crease.
India could have been in more deep trouble had Denesh Ramdin not dropped Dhoni off Darren Sammy when the batsman was on individual score of 12.
Dhoni (42) and Rohit Sharma tried to steady the boat before the skipper nicked one to the skipper off Tino Best's bowling just after the ball was changed in the 51st over.
Earlier, West Indian debutant Sheldon Cottrell too opened his account when Cheteshwar Pujara (17) attempted to hit a rising delivery over wicketkeeper's head but managed a thin edge, enough to pack him off.
(With inputs from PTI)