Samuels showed an excellent temperament

The situation at lunch had looked very promising for the tourists following a maiden Test century by Marlon Samuels and two quick wickets from Merv Dillon.

But Tendulkar stamped his class on proceedings to rescue his side from 87 for four, after they had conceded a 139-run lead on first innings.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul was out for 140 to the third ball of the day after a stand of 195 for the sixth wicket with Samuels.

But his 21-year-old partner went on to reach 104 before falling to Harbhajan Singh, who was again the pick of the home attack with figures of five for 115.

Samuels hit 18 fours in his 182-ball innings, but once he was out the tail did not last long.

Anil Kumble dismissed Darren Powell and Jermaine Lawson before Harbhajan rounded things off by having last man Cameron Cuffy caught by VVS Laxman for a duck.

India celebrate the dismissal of Chanderpaul

It was the 11th time he has taken five or more wickets in an innings in only his 31st Test appearance.

But India did not have long to reflect on his achievement as Sanjay Bangar edged the first ball of their second innings to Chanderpaul at third slip.

Virender Sehwag struck two fours in reaching 10, but then became Merv Dillon's second victim when he was taken at leg gully.

Powell made the third breakthrough when he won an lbw decision against Rahul Dravid (17) but only one wicket fell during the afternoon with Sourav Ganguly trapped in front by Cuffy for 16.

India: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, Sanjay Bangar, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Parthiv Patel, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra.

West Indies: Carl Hooper (captain), Wavell Hinds, Chris Gayle, Darren Ganga, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ryan Hinds, Marlon Samuels, Ridley Jacobs, Mervyn Dillon, Cameron Cuffy.

Umpires: David Shepherd and Asoka De Silva. TV umpire: Arani Jayaprakash. Match Referee Mike Procter.