As the 1st Test in Perth unfolds, India has firmly taken the reins, concluding Day 2 with an impressive lead of 218 runs. Following a dismal performance by Australia, who were all out for a mere 104 in their first innings, Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul crafted a resilient and unbroken partnership of 172 runs, propelling India to a position of strength in their second innings.
The day began under India’s control, thanks largely to a spectacular 5-wicket haul by captain Jasprit Bumrah, with significant support from Siraj and Harshit Rana who both took crucial wickets, swiftly dismantling Australia’s batting lineup. Despite efforts from Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who added a few consolation runs, the Australian innings wrapped quickly, highlighting the dominance of the Indian bowling attack.
In their second innings, India approached the crease with determination, quickly building on their 46-run first-innings lead. Jaiswal, particularly formidable, notched up 90 runs off 193 balls, including seven fours and two sixes. Rahul complemented this with a steady 62 runs off 153 balls, and together, they faced Australia’s bowlers without yielding, notably resisting Hazlewood and Starc’s attempts to break their partnership.
Yashasvi Jaiswal has emerged as a standout star in Test cricket for 2024, amassing over 1,100 runs, making him second only to Joe Root. With 10 fifty-plus scores this year, Jaiswal’s performance has been nothing short of phenomenal. The notable achievement of both Indian openers scoring half-centuries in this match marks a significant milestone—the first occurrence since 1986 against Australia.
Looking ahead to Day 3, India’s strategy will likely focus on further solidifying their lead and potentially setting a declaration to put pressure back on Australia. The Australian team faces a tough challenge to overturn the momentum and will need a remarkable effort to counter India’s current dominance and strategize a comeback in their second innings.