Dravid walks after being bowled by Black

It was not one of Tendulkar's best innings by any means, and he survived two confident appeals before passing 30.

But 14 boundaries followed as he put on a partnership of 124 with Rahul Dravid to put India in control.

Dravid was on 67 when clean bowled by Marlon Black with the score on 167-3 and Sourav Ganguly joined Tendulkar, but lofted a catch to Merv Dillon off Carl Hooper with the score on 218.

Laxman came in to see Tendulkar reach his century as India moved to 224-4, and the pair made good use of the remaining 17 overs to put their side in a strong position.

That had not looked likely earlier in the day when Dillon and Adam Sanford picked up a wicket each as India's batsmen endured a difficult start.

Dillon accounted for Das, who fell lbw for 10 with the score on 18, and Bangar followed after batting 43 minutes for nine when he was adjudged caught behind off Sanford.

Das was first to go

West Indies had reverted to the four-man pace attack policy which served them so well in the 1970s and 80s on a wicket offering plenty of movement off the seam.

And skipper Carl Hooper had no hesitation in asking India to bat first after winning the toss.

India had sprung a major surprise by dropping Anil Kumble from their side, with Harbhajan Singh named as the sole spinner after recovering from a shoulder injury.

They also made two other changes, with wicket-keeper Ajay Ratra given his chance in place of Deep Dasgupta and left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra taking over from off-spinner Sarandeep Singh.

West Indies brought back fast bowler Marlon Black, who took over from leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo, who was forced to miss the game because of hamstring injury.

West Indies: Carl Hooper (captain), Christopher Gayle, Stuart Williams, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Junior Murray, Mervyn Dillon, Cameron Cuffy, Marlon Black, Adam Sanford.

India: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Shiv Sundar Das, Vangipurappu Laxman, Ajay Ratra, Sanjay Bangar, Javagal Srinath, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra.