Is it possible to play the first two days of a Test match on two different decks? Well, it surely looks like we are witnessing two supremely different surfaces in Perth! On Day 1, bowlers ruled the roost as 17 wickets were taken. On the very next day, we have a placid Perth track that offered almost nothing. But we surely have to credit the masterclass put on by KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The duo not only put the hosts on the backfoot, but have done so much damage that it would take something outlandish from India not to win this opening BGT Test.
Jasprit Bumrah-led India wrap up AUS
The day began with Australia’s tail showing unexpected resistance, though they were eventually bowled out for 104 – their lowest first-innings total against India since 1947. The morning session saw Jasprit Bumrah completing his five-wicket haul by dismissing Alex Carey with his first delivery of the day, the ball nipping away to find the edge. Debutant Harshit Rana then removed Nathan Lyon, but the last-wicket partnership between Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood provided some frustration for India, lasting 110 balls. Despite their resistance, Australia’s total of 104 gave India a valuable first-innings lead of 46 runs. It was Rana who plucked his third wicket by dismissing Starc.
KL Rahul – Yashasvi Jaiswal – Take A Bow!
India’s second innings marked a stark contrast to their first, with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal showcasing exemplary technique and temperament. The opening pair showed immaculate judgment outside off-stump and rotated the strike efficiently, negating Australia’s various bowling strategies. Even when the hosts employed the short-ball tactic early through Hazlewood and Cummins, the Indian openers remained unfazed. Their growing confidence was evident when Jaiswal engaged in verbal exchanges with Mitchell Starc, reportedly commenting on the bowler’s lack of pace.
The afternoon session saw India’s dominance grow as the opening partnership flourished. Australia’s decision to introduce Mitchell Marsh early in the session indicated their growing desperation. The partnership broke all kinds of records, becoming the first Indian opening pair since Virender Sehwag and Aakash Chopra in 2004 at the SCG to score a century stand in Australia. By tea, India had progressed to 84 without loss, extending their lead to 130 runs.
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The final session continued in the same vein as KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal maintained their concentration and technical excellence. Australia’s premier bowling attack, usually lethal in home conditions, looked increasingly frustrated as both batters continued to build their innings with patience and skill. The day ended with India at a commanding 172/0, leading by 218 runs, with both openers unconquered at stumps.
Record-breaking KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal
The 172-run unbeaten stand between Jaiswal and Rahul is the first 100-run stand by an Indian opening pair in the last 20 years. Notably, this is also the first opening stand of over 150 runs by a visiting team since Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook had put 159 for the wicket in 2010. It is the first such stand since Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth’s 191-run stand in 1986.
- India are 172/0 after 57 overs, lead by 218 runs
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