Perth: India extended their dominance in the second Test against Australia at Perth, finishing Day 2 at a commanding 172 without loss, with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul leading the charge.
The visitors now boast a lead of 218 runs, placing them firmly in control.
Jaiswal, unbeaten on 90, played with characteristic flair, dispatching the Australian bowlers with finesse and aggression. His innings included seven boundaries and two sixes, bringing him tantalisingly close to a memorable century in testing overseas conditions.
Rahul provided the perfect foil with a composed 62, anchoring the partnership while punishing loose deliveries with precision.
Earlier, Australia resumed their innings on Day 2, trailing by 46 runs after being bundled out for a mere 104 in response to India’s first-innings total of 150.
Jasprit Bumrah delivered a masterclass in pace bowling, claiming 5 for 30, while debutant Harshit Rana impressed with figures of 3 for 48. The hosts' batting frailties were laid bare as they lost their last five wickets for just 23 runs, crumbling against relentless Indian pressure.
India’s opening stand marked several milestones. It was the first 150-plus opening partnership by a visiting team in Australia since 2010 and only the fourth time in this century that an Indian pair survived 50 overs in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries. Their performance showcased a blend of resilience and adaptability, navigating a tricky period where the Australian pacers generated occasional uneven bounce and reverse swing.
Jaiswal and Rahul were tested, with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood bowling probing spells. However, the duo weathered the storm, countering challenges with patience. Jaiswal occasionally required treatment for arm cramps, sipping pickle juice to combat dehydration, but his determination remained undeterred. Rahul, promoted in the absence of regular opener Rohit Sharma, looked assured in his role, bringing up his half-century with a delicate dab past gully.
Despite disciplined bowling efforts, Australia failed to break through. Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon induced a few false shots, but edges either fell short or were driven with soft hands. Pat Cummins managed to extract steep bounce occasionally, but India’s batsmen remained unflustered.
This remarkable stand not only solidified India’s position but also put them in rare company. With Jaiswal equalling Brendon McCullum’s record of 33 sixes in a calendar year, and the pair achieving feats unseen for decades, India looks poised to set a daunting challenge for the hosts.
As the match progresses, Australia faces an uphill task. Their bowlers must find ways to exploit the pitch and unsettle the Indian batsmen early on Day 3. Meanwhile, India will aim to build on their lead, with the prospect of putting Australia under immense pressure in the fourth innings.
Brief Scores:
Australia 1st Innings: 104 all out in 51.2 overs (Mitchell Starc 26; Jasprit Bumrah 5/30, Harshit Rana 3/48);
India 1st Innings: 150 all out in 58.3 overs (Nitish Reddy 41, Pant 37, Josh Hazlewood 4/29, Mitchell Starc 2/14); India 2nd Innings: 172/0 in 57 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 90*, KL Rahul 62*); Day 2 Stumps: India lead by 218 runs.
