During the first Test of India’s tour of West Indies in 2006 at St. John’s, Antigua, the then Indian opener Wasim Jaffer scored his second Test century, his highest Test score. In a feat which happened exactly 12 years ago, it brought India extremely close to the winning line.

Having won the toss, Rahul Dravid, the then Indian captain had won the toss and chose to bat. India handed a debut to fast bowler VRV Singh. Jaffer and Virender Sehwag arrived at the crease to face the new ball.

Despite getting starts, the Indian top-order failed to post a formidable total on the board in the first innings. India was all out on the second morning on 241 in 92.5 overs. Rahul Dravid, who came in to bat at No. 4, top-scored with 49 (249) with the help of four fours. With bowling figures of 22-9-40-4, Dwayne Bravo was the pick of the hosts’ bowlers.

Individual half-centuries from Chris Gayle (72), Dwayne Bravo (68) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (58) aided West Indies to score 371-10 in 98.3 overs. Munaf Patel, who opened the new ball for India alongside Sreesanth, picked up the best bowling figures of 28-7-80-3 amongst the Indian bowlers.

India started their second innings with a deficit of 130 runs. It was important was one of the top-order batsmen to play big innings if India were to stand a chance of not losing the match. It was at this point in time that Jaffer stood tall amongst all the Indian batsmen, scoring 212 (399) with the help of 24 fours and a six. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (69*) and Rahul Dravid (62) were the other top-scorers for the team as they scored 521-6 dec. in 150.5 overs. Jaffer and Dravid had stitched a game-changing 203-run partnership.

West Indies required 392 runs to win the match. After a solid 67-run opening partnership between Chris Gayle and Darren Ganga, the home team lost wickets at regular intervals. At one point in time, it appeared that they would lose the match. Determined resistance from their lower-order batsmen aided them to draw the match.

Watch the video of Jaffer and Dravid’s partnership: