Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul ensured a steady session for India, batting with caution and authority. India took control of the first Test against Australia in Perth, finishing the second session of Day 2 at 84/0 with a lead of 130 runs.
Jaiswal reached 42 off 88 balls, while Rahul remained unbeaten on 34 off 70. The Australian bowlers created few chances, but edges failed to carry to the fielders.
The funniest part of day two came when Jaiswal, dismissed for a duck by Starc in the first innings, had a few words to say to the Aussie pacer. Starc, who had earlier sledged Harshit Rana, his KKR teammate, stating he was faster than him, after he bowled a bouncer at the Aussie, got a taste of his own medicine from Jaiswal.
Earlier in the day, India wrapped up Australia’s innings for 104 runs just before Lunch. The final wicket partnership between Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood frustrated India, lasting 110 balls for just 25 runs. Harshit Rana, making his Test debut, eventually broke the stand by dismissing Starc for 26. Rana finished with 3/48 in 15.2 overs, complementing a brilliant spell from captain Jasprit Bumrah, who led the attack with figures of 5/30 in 18 overs. Mohammed Siraj chipped in with 2/20.
India’s bowlers had reduced Australia to 95/9 earlier in the day, with Bumrah striking in his first over to remove Alex Carey. Nathan Lyon fell to Rana soon after, setting the stage for the long final-wicket stand.
India were bowled out for 150 on Day 1 but have turned the match around with disciplined bowling and patient batting. Going into the final session of Day 2, they are well-positioned to extend their lead and consolidate their advantage in this opening game of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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