IND vs AUS 1st Test: India asserted control of the first Test against Australia on Day 2 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. The visitors put up an assertive opening partnership in the second innings after bowling out Australia for a paltry 104 earlier in the day.
Yashasvi Jaiswal repaid the faith with a composed half-century after being ducked in the first innings. KL Rahul, playing the anchor role, was close to his half-century of the season when India ended the day at 114/0 and a lead of 160 runs. The hundred for the opening pair marked an assertive show against the Australian bowlers when even Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh didn’t have answers.
India’s first innings lead of 46 runs gets them well-established on the board. Having lost all wickets and getting bowled out on Day 1 for just 150, the visitors then made the most of a scintillating spell by Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah, who took five wickets for 30 runs. Apart from contributions by Harshit Rana, Bumrah left Australia’s batting order in a heap.
IND vs AUS 1st Test: Unwanted records by the hosts
Australia’s total of 104 is their lowest against India at home since a controversy-marred 83 all-out in Melbourne in 1981. Collectively, the top six could only muster 37 runs, an indicator of their struggles against India’s pace attack. Even Steven Smith was dismissed, with a golden duck – a reminder of the consistent woes of the two star batters of Australia.
Bumrah gave reasons to be legendary as he reached the ninth five-wicket haul outside Asia – Kapil Dev is joined. His figures are the best by an Indian skipper since Kapil’s 1985 heroics in Adelaide.
The lower order of Australia resisted well, but their total was not enough as a gritty 26 from Mitchell Starc from 112 balls added some respectability to their innings but it was insufficient to bridge the gap created by the disciplined bowling of India.
India appears set to continue their supremacy on Day 3, as their openers have furnished a strong foundation for them. The battle between these cricketing superpowers promises to be an electrifying session for the Perth crowd.
For more updates, keep an eye as India aim for a resounding win.
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