Perth: India asserted dominant control over the ongoing Test against Australia, leading by 130 runs at Tea on Day 2, with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (42*) and KL Rahul (34*) unbeaten on Saturday.
The duo has put together an unbroken partnership of 84 runs, their highest opening stand in Australia since Sehwag and Chopra's 123-run stand at the SCG in 2004.
After India’s bowlers dismissed Australia for a meagre 104 in just 51.2 overs earlier in the day, Jaiswal and Rahul began their second innings with determination. Despite tough, overcast conditions, the Indian openers faced a challenging phase but navigated the new ball with a mix of patience and aggression.
Jaiswal was the more attacking of the two, playing a series of confident shots, including a stunning six off Mitchell Starc to backward square leg and several well-placed boundaries. He made 42 runs off 88 balls, striking the ball cleanly throughout.
Rahul, in contrast, showcased his trademark elegance, offering strokes like a delightful straight drive off Pat Cummins that raced to the boundary. His measured approach saw him add 34 runs off 70 balls, with three boundaries, as he rotated the strike effectively.
The partnership was crucial in extending India's lead, coming after a sensational bowling performance by Jasprit Bumrah and debutant Harshit Rana.
Australia started Day 2 with hopes of building a competitive total, but their batting soon collapsed under pressure. Bumrah and Rana were relentless, with the Australian batsmen failing to cope. Bumrah, in particular, was in exceptional form, taking 5 wickets for 30 runs. The Indian skipper dismissed Alex Carey with his first ball of the day, an immaculate delivery that induced an edge to Rishabh Pant.
Bumrah's masterful spell dismantled the Australian lineup, and by the time the lower order came to the crease, Australia was all out for 104.
Mitchell Starc was the only Australian batsman to show resistance, holding on for a gritty 26 off 112 balls. His defiance delayed the inevitable, but he was eventually dismissed by
Rana, who finished with 3 wickets for 48 runs on his Test debut. Rana also removed Nathan Lyon for just 5 runs, marking another scalp on a memorable debut. Earlier, his sharp bouncer had struck Starc on the helmet, and a few overs later, he tempted Starc into a misjudged slog, with Pant taking the catch behind the stumps.
Australia’s collapse was swift, losing their last five wickets for just 23 runs in the first session. They were left to rue their inability to build partnerships, as India's bowlers effectively stifled any resistance.
Bumrah's exceptional fifer marked his 11th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, making him the first Indian captain since Anil Kumble in 2007 to achieve this milestone. Starc's 26 was the highest score for Australia, but the tail failed to support him, leaving India with a substantial first-innings lead.
India's commanding position has been underpinned by Jaiswal and Rahul’s resolute opening stand. With a lead of 130 runs and more than a session to go, India will look to extend their advantage further, setting a challenging target for Australia.
The key for India will be to preserve their wickets and maintain momentum, avoiding the risk of squandering this dominant position.
As the match heads into the final session, Australia will need quick breakthroughs to stay in the contest.
However, with the India openers looking solid, the task ahead appears daunting. While the conditions remain bowler-friendly, India will aim to capitalise on the softer ball and continue building a commanding lead before the close of Day 2.