Tendulkar, who crossed 15,000 test runs on Tuesday, collected his 62nd test half-century as India reached 254 for four wickets at lunch with Vangipurappu Laxman (45) and Yuvraj Singh (nine) at the crease.

Resuming on 152 for two, the hosts received an early jolt when Fidel Edwards bowled Rahul Dravid (31) in the second over of the day at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.

Tendulkar and Laxman, however, scored freely to consolidate India's position and virtually bat West Indies out of the match.

Laxman elegantly flicked off his pads whenever Edwards strayed and also drove with elan.

Tendulkar also found regular boundaries and brought up his fifty with a single off Edwards.

The batting great drove Ravi Rampaul for two boundaries in the same over and looked set for his much-awaited 100th ton before being trapped leg before by spinner Devendra Bishoo.

Tendulkar's 148-ball knock was studded with 10 boundaries.