Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul Lead India’s Commanding Comeback in Perth
Jaiswal and Rahul Dominate Australia on Day 2 of Border-Gavaskar Trophy
India takes control on Day 2 of the first Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, thanks to unbeaten knocks from Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul.
India’s openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, put on a masterclass of resilience and skill on Day 2 of the first Test against Australia at Optus Stadium, Perth. Their unbroken 172-run stand not only put India in a commanding position but also highlighted their adaptability in challenging conditions.
Jaiswal, closing in on a century, ended the day unbeaten on 90, while Rahul held firm with a gritty 62*. Their efforts helped India reach stumps at 172/0, extending their lead to 218 runs after a tumultuous Day 1 that saw 17 wickets tumble.
A Turnaround in Conditions and Momentum
After the chaos of the opening day, which saw India dismiss Australia for 104 courtesy of Jasprit Bumrah’s sensational 5/30, the second day brought a sense of calm. Under sunny skies and on a wicket that had flattened out, Jaiswal and Rahul batted with patience and purpose, grinding down Australia’s bowling attack.
Jaiswal, who had a forgettable first innings with a duck, displayed remarkable maturity. He played from deep in the crease, leaving deliveries well and pouncing on scoring opportunities. His 90-run knock featured classic cover drives and occasional aggressive strokes, including an uppercut off Pat Cummins and a six against Nathan Lyon.
Rahul complemented Jaiswal’s aggression with a watchful approach. Known for his technique, Rahul’s innings included a stunning on-drive off Cummins and solid defensive play that anchored India’s position.
Australia’s Bowling Struggles
The Australian pace attack, which wreaked havoc on Day 1, looked fatigued. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood struggled to find the same movement, while Pat Cummins appeared underdone in his first red-ball game since March. Fielding lapses added to Australia’s woes, with Jaiswal dropped on 51 and a missed run-out chance shortly after.
Marnus Labuschagne’s attempt to unsettle the batters with a short-ball ploy was met with little success. With fielders spread out, India’s openers took singles comfortably, further frustrating the bowlers.
Bumrah Shines Again with the Ball
Earlier in the day, India wrapped up Australia’s first innings with Bumrah taking center stage. The stand-in captain picked up his 11th five-wicket haul, dismissing Alex Carey with his first delivery of the morning. Debutant Harshit Rana, showing promise with his pace, dismissed Nathan Lyon to end Australia’s innings at 104.
What Lies Ahead
With a significant lead and all 10 wickets in hand, India is well-placed to dictate terms in the remainder of the match. A century from Jaiswal on Day 3 would be the icing on the cake, while Rahul’s steady hand will be key to ensuring India sets an imposing target.
For Australia, they’ll need early breakthroughs and a herculean effort from their bowlers to claw back into the game.
