Virat Kohli notched up his 30th Test century and 81st international ton as India declared their second innings at 487/6, setting a daunting target of 534 for Australia. Yashasvi Jaiswal also shone with his fourth Test century, amassing a brilliant 161. On Day 3 in Perth, India dominated Australia in the final session, first with the bat as Kohli shared an 89-run stand with Washington Sundar and a blistering 77-run partnership in just 8.4 overs with Nitish Kumar Reddy. Later, India’s bowlers made an impact, claiming three quick wickets in the final 27 minutes to reduce Australia to 12/3 at Stumps.
In the very city where Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli crafted iconic centuries, India’s rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal delivered a batting masterclass, smashing a brilliant 161 to dismantle a struggling Australian side in the first Test at Optus Stadium.
Kohli later cemented India’s dominance on Day 3, ending his century drought with a stunning hundred to complement his unforgettable ton on the same ground in 2018. While his heroics then fell short, this time the outcome seems destined to favor India, who declared their second innings at 487/6.
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India’s Bowlers Wreak Havoc as Australia Stumbles in Record Chase
Chasing a monumental target of 534, Australia crumbled to 12/3 in a dramatic 4.2 overs just before stumps. Their troubles began early when opener Nathan McSweeney was trapped lbw for a duck by a low, sharp delivery from stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah. It marked a challenging debut for McSweeney, who had scored just 10 in the first innings.
Captain Pat Cummins entered as a nightwatchman with 20 minutes left in the day but lasted only briefly, edging Mohammed Siraj to slip and leaving Australia reeling at 9/2.
Marnus Labuschagne then walked in but fell victim to an unplayable delivery from Bumrah, unsuccessfully reviewing an lbw decision after shouldering arms. Bumrah, who claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings, ended the day with sensational figures of 2/1 from 2.2 overs.
India’s dominance was absolute, with their seasoned talisman and emerging stars crushing Australia’s morale on a scorching day in Perth, where temperatures soared to 36°C. Australia’s lackluster performance, echoing their struggles on Day 2, is bound to invite heavy criticism.
Jaiswal Shines as Pitch Starts to Play Tricks, Australia Struggles to Capitalize
The much-debated pitch seemed docile early in the day but later revealed signs of uneven bounce, further boosting India’s confidence. Resuming after batting through the final two sessions of Day 2, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul began the morning with a prime opportunity to solidify India’s dominance.
Australia’s bowlers, eager to redeem themselves after a lackluster Day 2, faced a pitch showing unpredictable behavior. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood aimed to exploit the old ball effectively, especially with the second new ball still some overs away. Employing attacking lengths, they tested Jaiswal’s nerves as he flirted with danger in the 90s, playing and missing on multiple occasions.
However, Jaiswal’s brilliance prevailed, as he brought up his century in spectacular style. On 95, he attempted an audacious ramp shot off a Hazlewood bouncer, sending the ball to fine leg, where it struck the boundary marker on the full. After a tense wait for the umpire’s confirmation, Jaiswal celebrated exuberantly, removing his helmet and punching the air.
A brief lapse in focus almost cost Jaiswal his wicket when a mix-up with Rahul resulted in a near run-out, only for Pat Cummins to miss the direct hit. Miscommunication between the pair continued to present Australia’s best chance of a breakthrough as their attack otherwise struggled to make an impact.
Jaiswal and Rahul Script History with Double Century Stand; Kohli Takes Charge After Padikkal’s Departure
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul etched their names in the record books by becoming the first Indian openers to register a double-century partnership in Australia. Their remarkable 201-run stand came to an end on the very next delivery, as Rahul, after a well-made 77, edged a delivery in the channel from Mitchell Starc to the keeper. Australia’s celebrations were subdued, marked more by relief than triumph, as the partnership ranked as the sixth-highest opening stand by overseas batters in Australia.
Devdutt Padikkal, stepping in for the absent Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, faced immense pressure after a duck in the first innings but had better conditions to thrive this time. He opened his account with a drive through gully on his fourth delivery and built a steady partnership with Jaiswal through to lunch.
Jaiswal remained relentless, countering every strategy Australia threw at him. Skipper Pat Cummins briefly employed a short-ball ploy, which proved futile, while Marnus Labuschagne’s part-time leg spin lacked potency and even saw a wild bouncer called wide.
The second new ball, taken just before lunch, also failed to trouble Jaiswal, who continued to dominate. Padikkal, however, fell immediately after the interval, edging Josh Hazlewood—the pick of Australia’s bowlers—on the first ball of the session. This dismissal paved the way for a determined Virat Kohli, who arrived with a clear intent to overcome his recent slump in form.3
Kohli Steadies the Ship as Jaiswal’s Heroics Draw Standing Ovation
Virat Kohli’s intent was clear from the outset, as he spent much of the first session padded up and ready, with his helmet on. Learning from his brief and puzzling stint in the first innings, where he batted far out of his crease, Kohli adjusted his approach this time, standing closer to the stumps. The tweak paid off as he looked more assured at the crease, even as the conditions eased. Allowing Yashasvi Jaiswal to take center stage, Kohli played a composed supporting role.
Jaiswal, continuing his scintillating form, cruised past 150. However, he survived a scare on 151 when wicketkeeper Alex Carey spilled a tough chance down the leg-side. Australia’s misery deepened as Jaiswal smashed a commanding drive off Pat Cummins through mid-off. But his remarkable innings came to an abrupt end when he slashed a short and wide delivery from Mitchell Marsh straight to point.
The crowd of 26,000 fell silent, momentarily stunned, before rising to their feet in a standing ovation. Jaiswal, visibly disappointed, removed his helmet and glanced skyward as he walked off, acknowledging the applause for his masterclass.
Australia found their rhythm briefly after Jaiswal’s dismissal. Nathan Lyon cleverly deceived Rishabh Pant, stumping him for just 1, while Cummins finally struck, trapping Dhruv Jurel lbw. In a promising spell, Australia managed to take 3 wickets for just 8 runs, their best phase since the opening day.
Kohli’s Aggression Shines as He Ends Century Drought in Style
Virat Kohli was a man on a mission, displaying an aggressive approach as he dispatched Mitchell Starc over the slip cordon for a towering six. The shot, unfortunately, struck a seated security officer on the side of the head, momentarily halting play.
With India eyeing a declaration, Kohli shifted gears alongside debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy, who unleashed a flurry of T20-style strokes. Kohli, whose last Test century came in July 2023, ended his drought with a flourish, guiding a boundary to deep fine leg to bring up his 30th Test ton.
Amid the celebrations, Kohli removed his helmet, blew a kiss to his wife, and walked off the field as India declared their innings. With a monumental victory on the horizon, the tourists appear poised to script a memorable triumph.
Australia vs India 1st Test Day 3 Summary
- India: 150 & 487/6 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 161, Virat Kohli 100*, KL Rahul 77; Nathan Lyon 2-96)
- Australia: 104 & 12/3 (Usman Khawaja 3*, Marnus Labuschagne 3; Jasprit Bumrah 2-1, Mohammed Siraj 1-7)
- India lead by 521 runs.
Looking Ahead to Day 4
A fantastic day for Indian cricket. The Test match unfolded as expected – with substantial runs followed by early breakthroughs. You’re not imagining it, and if you’re an India fan, that’s fantastic news. The day had it all – brilliant batting and bowling, a mix of patience and aggression, two centurions, a superb fifty from a makeshift opener, explosive entertainment from the debutant, and the unmatched Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed two wickets in commanding fashion after the declaration. Now, the focus shifts to the IPL auction. We’ll be back with more Test action tomorrow, bright and early. Take care!
FAQs
Who scored the highest runs for India in the second innings?
Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 161 runs, leading India’s second innings.
What was Virat Kohli’s achievement on Day 3?
Virat Kohli brought up his 30th Test century, scoring an unbeaten 100*.
How did India fare with the ball on Day 3?
Jasprit Bumrah took 2 wickets for 1 run, and Mohammed Siraj claimed 1 wicket as Australia ended the day at 12/3.
What was the lead India had over Australia at the end of Day 3?
India led by 521 runs with a score of 487/6, while Australia had managed 104 and 12/3.
