India couldn’t have wished for a better day in Perth. They’ve dominated the opening Test, capitalizing on improved batting conditions compared to the previous day. The pitch, which was a lively green seamer causing plenty of movement, has mellowed significantly under the sun. However, some deliveries in the final session hinted at uneven bounce, with a few keeping low. This leaves Australia in a precarious position, having been outplayed by the Indian opening duo, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul.

The Indian openers batted through two entire sessions, extending the lead to 218. Australia began the final session focusing on containing runs and managed to restrict India to just 22 runs in 17 overs before the drinks break. However, their efforts unraveled in the subsequent 14 overs, which yielded 66 runs. Jaiswal is now just 10 runs shy of a century, while Rahul has quietly accumulated a composed 62. Despite some close calls and lucky escapes, the pair has largely remained in control. Jaiswal’s disciplined approach has been particularly commendable, as he has reined in his usual attacking instincts.

India Takes Command as Openers Shine on Day Two

Following a chaotic start to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India seized control of the first Test as openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul wore down a tiring Australian bowling attack under more favorable batting conditions at Optus Stadium.

Jaiswal moved within striking distance of a superb century, finishing unbeaten on 90, while the steady Rahul held firm with 62 not out, steering India to 172 for 0 at stumps with a commanding lead of 218 runs.

After 17 wickets tumbled on a frantic opening day, the second day saw a more subdued battle, with only three wickets falling. This shift to normalcy saw moments of lull, prompting a crowd of 32,368 to turn to Mexican waves and spirited chants for amusement.

Jaiswal and Rahul Anchor India’s Dominance on Day Two

India embraced a measured approach, with Yashasvi Jaiswal reaching his slowest Test half-century off 123 balls and KL Rahul following suit in 124 deliveries. Their unbroken stand surpassed the first-innings totals of both teams, further cementing India’s stronghold in the series opener.

After securing an unlikely first-innings lead of 46 runs — the fifth-highest by a team scoring 150 or fewer batting first — India’s position strengthened considerably as Jaiswal and Rahul batted through two sessions.

Jaiswal, who had struggled on debut in Australian conditions with a first-innings duck, looked far more assured this time. Playing deep in the crease, he neutralized the threat posed by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who had shared six wickets in India’s initial effort. The 22-year-old adjusted well, blending calculated aggression with disciplined defense. While his textbook strokes through the covers and down the ground stood out, his audacious shots—an uppercut over slips and a swat over deep square leg—highlighted his natural flair. Late in the day, he skipped down the track to Nathan Lyon and launched him for a towering six over long-on.

Rahul, steady as ever, complemented Jaiswal with a composed knock. Building on his gritty first-innings effort, he showcased some elegant stroke play, including a sublime on-drive off Pat Cummins. Despite the occasional flash of brilliance, Rahul largely anchored the innings, ensuring stability at one end.

The pair’s clever running between the wickets kept Australia on their toes, hinting at a team unsure of its plans. Rahul and Jaiswal’s resilience has left India in a commanding position, showcasing a masterclass in patience and precision.

Australia’s Pacers Struggle as India Tightens Grip

Australia’s pace attack failed to replicate their opening-day heroics, appearing fatigued under the pressure of back-to-back efforts. On a pitch that seemed to flatten under sunny skies, the bowlers struggled to make an impact despite occasional movement and inconsistent bounce. Conditions, however, were far less threatening compared to the previous day.

The Australian approach reflected their struggles, with defensive fields signaling Jaiswal’s authority at the crease. Seven bowlers were rotated, including Marnus Labuschagne, who unsuccessfully attempted to employ his much-discussed short-ball tactic.

Pat Cummins, leading the attack in his first Test since March’s New Zealand tour, appeared underprepared, returning figures of 0 for 44 from 13 overs.

Missed opportunities compounded Australia’s frustrations. Jaiswal survived a tough chance on 51 when Usman Khawaja spilled an edge off Mitchell Starc at first slip. The very next ball offered a potential run-out of KL Rahul, who had ventured too far, but the Australians failed to capitalize. Despite these lapses, the Indian openers regrouped, driving home their advantage and maintaining their remarkable turnaround in the match.

Bumrah Shines as Australia Crumble to Their Fourth-Lowest Test Total Against India

Australia’s innings came to a swift end by lunch, bowled out for just 104 — their fourth-lowest total against India in Tests and ninth-lowest at home since 1900.

Jasprit Bumrah, standing in as captain, delivered a masterclass with the ball, finishing with exceptional figures of 5 for 30 from 18 overs. This marked his 11th five-wicket haul in Test cricket and his ninth outside Asia, equaling Kapil Dev’s record for an Indian bowler.

At the start of the day, there was a slim possibility the match could end within two days, as Bumrah struck immediately, removing the in-form Alex Carey for 21 with the first ball of the morning.

Bumrah’s relentless length and subtle movement off the pitch posed a consistent threat, keeping Australia under constant pressure. However, it was debutant Harshit Rana who delivered a standout moment, claiming his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Nathan Lyon with a sharp bouncer that gloved to the slips. The combined efforts of Bumrah and Rana underlined India’s dominance in the series opener.

Starc’s Grit Delays the Inevitable as Australia Avoid Record Low

At 79 for 9, Australia flirted with their lowest-ever Test score against India, threatening to surpass their infamous 83 at the MCG in 1981. However, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood staged a spirited resistance, putting together a 26-run partnership — the highest of the innings — in 18 overs for the final wicket.

Starc, who had downplayed the difficulty of the pitch after day one, braved a short-ball onslaught from Harshit Rana. The two former Kolkata Knight Riders teammates exchanged heated words, adding drama to the session. Mock cheers erupted from the crowd when Australia crossed the 100-run mark, a milestone that had seemed improbable for much of their innings.

Debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy and off-spinner Washington Sundar, surprisingly picked over veterans R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, bowled tidily during a rare calm stretch of play but struggled to find a breakthrough. It seemed India might be forced to reassess their tactics over the lunch break.

However, just before the interval, Rana prevailed in his duel with Starc, who holed out tamely to end his gritty knock of 26 from 112 balls — a defiant effort that more than doubled the next-highest deliveries faced, Labuschagne’s 52. Despite their resilience, Australia’s batting woes left them with a mountain to climb.

Australia vs India 1st Test Day 2 Summary

• India: 150 & 172/0 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 90*, KL Rahul 62*)
• Australia: 104 (Mitchell Starc 26; Jasprit Bumrah 5-30, Harshit Rana 3-48)
• India Lead by 218 Runs

The amount of seam movement has dropped noticeably in India’s second innings, reducing to almost a quarter of what it was in their first innings. While 48.8% of deliveries deviated significantly off the seam (0.75 degrees or more) in India’s first innings, only 27.3% of balls have moved similarly in the second.

Looking Ahead to Day 3

Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul became the first Indian pair since Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli at the MCG in 2018 to bat through two successive sessions in a Test match played in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) conditions.

Australia find themselves in a dire situation, with a comeback looking highly improbable. We’ll see how things unfold tomorrow on Day 3 as India aim to capitalize further. Until then, goodbye!

Read More: Australia vs India 1st Test: Day 1 Match Report as Jasprit Bumrah Spearheads India’s Resurgence on a Dramatic 17-Wicket Opening day in Perth

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