Australia toil as India take charge

Tourists 172/0 at stumps on day two in 1st Test, take lead to 218

FE Team | Published: November 24, 2024 00:08:04

PERTH, Australia, Nov 23 (AFP): Yashasvi Jaiswal hit a composed unbeaten 90 and KL Rahul a stylish 62 Saturday as India built an ominous 218-run lead over Australia to take a stranglehold on the opening Test in Perth.
A determined and gritty effort by both men against a world-class attack put the visitors in the driving seat as they look to draw first blood in the five-match series.
Jaiswal faced 193 balls while Rahul fended off 153 to steer India to 172 without loss at the close on day two.
India have won their last two Border-Gavaskar trophy series in Australia but came into the Perth Stadium clash after a devastating 3-0 home loss to New Zealand.
After making a miserly 150 on a lively pitch in their first innings, the pressure was again on. But their response proved admirable.
They took a 46-run advantage into the second innings after dismissing the hosts for a meagre 104 at lunch.
Dynamic skipper Jasprit Bumrah blitzed 5-30 and Harshit Rana grabbed 3-48.
"When Bumrah took wickets I was also desperate to do well," said Rana, who is making his debut.
"He sets the tone for us and I delivered."
Young gun Jaiswal, just 22 and in his 15th Test, failed to score in his first knock and began tentatively before a boundary off Mitchell Starc settled him.
Batting alongside the more experienced Rahul, who was playing in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, they were resolute against the new ball on a pitch more placid than the treacherous one that greeted the players on Friday.
Both ran well between the wicket and cracked anything loose to the boundary, playing their shots as their confidence grew.
With the ball not moving nearly as much, Australia were in dire need of some inspiration, but it failed to come as the partnership flourished.