A collective batting performance highlighted by centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, followed by Jasprit Bumrah’s relentlessness left India in a commanding position at stumps on Day 3 of the first Test against Australia in Perth. With two days to go, the visitors need seven wickets, while the hosts face the monumental and seemingly impossible task of getting 522 more to win.
For the second day running, Indian batters dominated the Australian attack. Jaiswal became only the third Indian to score a century in his first Test in Australia, KL Rahul made a significant contribution in an opening stand of 201, before there was a wobble in the middle. Kohli then came to the fore and shared crucial stands with Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy to put it beyond Australia. Chasing 534 to win and at 12/3, Australia are set for a rare defeat in Perth.
IND vs AUS: Virat Kohli ends century drought in Perth - 'I don't want to hang around just for the sake of it'
A seventh century in Australia and 30th of his career — Kohli is no stranger to three-figure scores. However, coming after a lean run and a long time, this century meant a lot to Kohli. He acknowledged that, said that wife Anushka Sharma’s presence at the ground meant a lot, before taking a smart catch at second slip to send back Pat Cummins.
It was a brave call on part of the Australian captain to come in at No 3, after his team lost Nathan McSweeny off the fourth ball of the innings. But he was undone by a peach of a delivery from Mohammed Siraj. Bumrah, meanwhile, targeted the stumps and exploited the variable bounce to win two leg-before shouts. Those put India right on top and on course for a big win.
It’s not that Indian have not won in Perth before this. But this win at a city known to produce cricket pitches with steep bounce will be remarkable for many reasons. Barring the mother of all miracles, it will be a huge step forward for an Indian team coming off a 0-3 home drubbing against New Zealand. Plus, it will come without skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.
IND vs AUS: Hunger for runs sets apart Yashasvi Jaiswal, a young man for the long run
For a team under such pressure and after getting bowled out for 150 in the first innings, this has been a sensational comeback. Jaiswal deserves a lion’s share of the credit for smashing 161 runs and sharing a huge partnership with Rahul, who made an invaluable 77. Rahul’s composure in both innings will make it difficult to drop him down the order once Rohit returns for the next Test.
However, the job was still not done when the openers fell. Someone had to take it forward and after some failures in the middle-order, Kohli stepped up. It was not the most fluent of his centuries, but immensely valuable. His partnership of 77 with debutant Nitish — which came in less than 10 overs — had a demoralising effect on Australia and took India closer to a memorable win.
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