In a gripping contest at Perth’s Optus Stadium, India solidified its position in the first Test against Australia with outstanding performances from both established and emerging stars. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli’s remarkable centuries set the tone for India’s dominance, while Jasprit Bumrah’s late strikes left Australia reeling.
Jaiswal’s impressive innings of 161 runs not only marked his second Test century outside India but also established a record opening partnership alongside KL Rahul. Together, they amassed 201 runs, surpassing the previous record held by Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth.
Jaiswal’s century came off 205 balls and was punctuated by an audacious six off Josh Hazlewood, showcasing his flair on the international stage. His celebration was a poignant moment, symbolizing his journey as he gazed skyward.
Following Jaiswal’s departure, Kohli stepped up with a composed unbeaten 100 runs, displaying a mix of caution and aggression. His innings, which included stylish drives and powerful pulls, ended a challenging run of form where he averaged just 14 runs over his last seven innings.
Kohli’s performance served as a reminder of his class, as he navigated the Australian bowling attack with precision, ultimately leading to India’s declaration at 487-6.
With Australia set an imposing target of 534 runs, they struggled early in their second innings. Bumrah capitalized on this pressure by dismissing Nathan McSweeney lbw with just his fourth delivery. The situation worsened for Australia when captain Pat Cummins fell to Mohammed Siraj’s sharp catch at slip.
As the day concluded, Australia found themselves at 12-3, requiring an extraordinary effort to chase down the record total. The highest successful fourth-innings chase remains 418 runs, achieved by the West Indies against Australia in 2003.
Despite the daunting task ahead, there remains hope for Australia to either bat for a draw or attempt an improbable victory over the remaining two days.
As both teams prepare for day four, India’s tactical advantage appears significant. The pitch conditions favor movement and uneven bounce—elements that could prove decisive as they aim to secure victory in this first match of the five-Test series.
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