Sachin Tendulkar became the first player to reach 15,000 Test runs as India edged closer to victory in the first Test against West Indies in Delhi.
The 38-year-old Tendulkar reached the milestone towards the end of the third day's play and he also still has an outside chance of claiming an unprecedented 100th international century after finishing on 33 not out.
Rahul Dravid was also still there on 30 not out as India closed on 152 for two, needing another 124 to win with two days remaining.
Opener Virender Sehwag had earlier clubbed a typically belligerent half-century to set India on their way after a superb bowling display from debutant Ravichandran Ashwin (six for 47) had pegged back West Indies.
The tourists had boasted a 95-run lead after first innings but they were reduced to 21 for two at the start of their second knock last night and their troubles continued this morning.
Nightwatchman Fidel Edwards was the first to go after scoring just one run, slashing loosely at Ishant Sharma and edging through to keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Namesake Kirk Edwards advanced from his overnight 15 to a patient 33 before he shouldered arms to Umesh Yadav and lost his off stump.
Then spinner Ashwin took centre-stage, trapping Darren Bravo lbw for 12 and bowling Marlon Samuels for a duck in the same over to leave the West Indies 63 for six.
It was 84 for seven when wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh edged Yadav (two for 31) to opposite number Dhoni.
First-innings centurion Shivnarine Chanderpaul (47) and captain Darren Sammy (42) led a recovery of sorts, but Ashwin struck to dismiss both players, as well as last man Ravi Rampaul for 18, as the West Indies were dismissed for 180.
That gave the tourists a lead of 275, which might have been less than they had hoped for after first innings, but was still a testing target for India.
However, the hosts wasted no time in taking a big chunk out of that target as Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir put on a half-century opening stand in less than 10 overs before the West Indies made their first breakthrough, Samuels trapping Gambhir lbw for 22.
Sehwag continued to look in ominous form and he brought up his 29th Test half-century off only 52 balls, with two sixes and four other boundaries.
He did not last much longer, though, as he was bowled via an inside edge by Sammy to depart for a run-a-ball 55.
That wicket saw Tendulkar join Dravid at the crease and the veteran duo guided their side towards their victory target with an unbroken 57-run stand.
During that partnership Tendulkar reached 15,000 Test runs with single to extra cover off Devendra Bishoo, earning him the congratulations of both Dravid and opponents alike.
Dravid, who himself is approaching 13,000 Test runs, had a run-out scare just before the close but he survived and India will now fancy their chances of going on to claim victory.
Rahul Dravid was also still there on 30 not out as India closed on 152 for two, needing another 124 to win with two days remaining.
Opener Virender Sehwag had earlier clubbed a typically belligerent half-century to set India on their way after a superb bowling display from debutant Ravichandran Ashwin (six for 47) had pegged back West Indies.
The tourists had boasted a 95-run lead after first innings but they were reduced to 21 for two at the start of their second knock last night and their troubles continued this morning.
Nightwatchman Fidel Edwards was the first to go after scoring just one run, slashing loosely at Ishant Sharma and edging through to keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Namesake Kirk Edwards advanced from his overnight 15 to a patient 33 before he shouldered arms to Umesh Yadav and lost his off stump.
Then spinner Ashwin took centre-stage, trapping Darren Bravo lbw for 12 and bowling Marlon Samuels for a duck in the same over to leave the West Indies 63 for six.
It was 84 for seven when wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh edged Yadav (two for 31) to opposite number Dhoni.
First-innings centurion Shivnarine Chanderpaul (47) and captain Darren Sammy (42) led a recovery of sorts, but Ashwin struck to dismiss both players, as well as last man Ravi Rampaul for 18, as the West Indies were dismissed for 180.
That gave the tourists a lead of 275, which might have been less than they had hoped for after first innings, but was still a testing target for India.
However, the hosts wasted no time in taking a big chunk out of that target as Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir put on a half-century opening stand in less than 10 overs before the West Indies made their first breakthrough, Samuels trapping Gambhir lbw for 22.
Sehwag continued to look in ominous form and he brought up his 29th Test half-century off only 52 balls, with two sixes and four other boundaries.
He did not last much longer, though, as he was bowled via an inside edge by Sammy to depart for a run-a-ball 55.
That wicket saw Tendulkar join Dravid at the crease and the veteran duo guided their side towards their victory target with an unbroken 57-run stand.
During that partnership Tendulkar reached 15,000 Test runs with single to extra cover off Devendra Bishoo, earning him the congratulations of both Dravid and opponents alike.
Dravid, who himself is approaching 13,000 Test runs, had a run-out scare just before the close but he survived and India will now fancy their chances of going on to claim victory.
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