KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal extended India’s dominance in the first Test against Australia, building a solid opening stand that pushed the lead to 130 runs by Tea on Day 2 in Perth. After India’s bowlers wreaked havoc earlier in the day, the openers ensured no breakthrough for the Australian attack in the second innings.
Australia’s bowlers, who dominated on the first morning, struggled to generate the same movement under the blazing Perth sun. KL Rahul played with remarkable composure, expertly leaving deliveries and playing with soft hands to avoid edges. Jaiswal, equally determined, avoided chasing deliveries outside off-stump and played with maturity beyond his years.
The pair soon began to rotate the strike effectively and punished Pat Cummins with some authoritative flicks and pulls. Their partnership also frustrated the Australian bowlers, including Marnus Labuschagne, who was brought on for an over of medium pace just before Tea in a desperate bid for a breakthrough.
Earlier in the day, Jasprit Bumrah completed a sensational five-wicket haul, dismissing Alex Carey with his first delivery of the session. Harshit Rana provided excellent support, bouncing out Nathan Lyon and troubling Mitchell Starc with sharp short-pitched bowling. However, a defiant 25-run last-wicket stand between Starc and Josh Hazlewood delayed the inevitable, as Australia folded for 104, handing India a crucial 46-run first-innings lead.
India’s total lead now stands at 130 runs, with Rahul (34*) and Jaiswal (42*) showing no signs of slowing down. The visitors will aim to set a formidable target as they continue to consolidate their position in this match.
Brief Scores:
- India’s 1st Innings: 150 (Nitish Reddy 41; Josh Hazlewood 4-29)
- Australia’s 1st Innings: 104 (Mitchell Starc 26; Jasprit Bumrah 5-30, Harshit Rana 3-48)
- India’s 2nd Innings (Ongoing): 84/0 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 42*, KL Rahul 34*)
- Lead: 130 runs