ANI
Perth
An unbeaten 172-run opening stand between openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal put India in the driving seat against Australia in the first Test at the Optus Stadium on Saturday.
At the end of Day 2, India are 172 without loss ahead by 218 runs.
Jaiswal is nearing his century at 90 while Rahul, who made a gritty 26 in the first innings after being given out on a controversial decision, is unbeaten on 62.
The duo were careful against the Aussie pace trio of skipper Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and spinner Nathan Lyon, rotating the strike well and not taking much risks. But, nearing the day’s end, the Indian openers, especially Jaiswal went aggressive hitting a couple of boundaries, and two huge sixes.
Jaiswal overcame the lows of his first innings duck, reaching his ninth half-century in 123 balls, with five fours.
India reached the 100-run mark in 37.4 overs.
Rahul completed his half-century in 124 balls with the help of four boundaries in the 48th over of the innings.
The Jasprit Bumrah-led India side touched the 150-run mark in the 51st over.
Australia resumed the second day at 67 for 7, with Mitchell Starc (6*) and Alex Carey (19*) unbeaten.
Bumrah struck early removing in-form wicketkeeper Carey for 21. He was caught behind by Rishabh Pant. It also brought up Bumrah’s 11th five-wicket haul in Tests.
Harshit Rana dismissed Nathan Lyon for just five runs. Lyon could not pick up the short ball and tried to steer it past third man, but it hit his glove and went to Rahul in the slips. Australia were 79/9.
Starc and Hazlewood then frustrated the Indian bowlers with a decent partnership. While Hazlewood blocked pretty much everything, Starc would let out a hit now and then. They took Australia to the 100-run mark in 45.4 overs.
The wait for a wicket finally came to an end after 110 balls, with Starc skying one in the air and the ball was caught by Pant easily. Starc’s patient and defiant 26 in 112 balls, with two fours, came to an end.
India bundled out Australia for 104 runs in 51.2 overs.
Bumrah (5/30) was the pick of the bowlers for India, bowling fantastically for his 18 overs.
Rana also took 3/48 in 15.3 overs while Mohammed Siraj (2/20) also got crucial two scalps of Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh in his 13 overs.
Scores: India 150 & 172-0 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 90*, KL Rahul 62*, Mitchell Starc 0/25) vs Australia 104 (Mitchell Starc 26, Alex Carey 21, Jasprit Bumrah 5/30).