In a dramatic turn of events on day two of the first Test between India and Australia in Perth, the visitors have seized control of the match after the hosts hit the brakes on their own progress. What began as a high-octane clash has morphed into a more measured affair, with India reaping the rewards of patience and discipline.
Australia’s Unexpected Gear Shift
The second morning began with Australia in a precarious position, having lost seven wickets for just 67 runs in response to India’s first-innings total of 150. With speedster Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge, the stage seemed set for a swift conclusion to Australia’s innings.
However, the script took an unexpected turn as the Australian tail, led by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, dug in their heels. In a remarkable display of resilience, the pair faced a staggering 110 deliveries, adding 25 crucial runs to the total. While the runs themselves were valuable, it was the time consumed that truly altered the complexion of the game.
The last-wicket stand between Starc and Hazlewood was a masterclass in defensive batting. They weathered Bumrah’s storm and blunted India’s momentum.
– A close source
India’s Composed Response
Faced with a first-innings deficit of just 46 runs, India’s openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul approached their task with a mix of caution and selective aggression. As the pitch eased throughout the afternoon, the duo gradually grew in confidence, wearing down the Australian attack.
Hazlewood, in particular, was miserly, conceding just nine runs from his first ten overs. But Jaiswal and Rahul remained undeterred, content to accumulate runs at a measured pace. By stumps, their unbroken partnership had swelled to 172, eclipsing both India’s and Australia’s first-innings totals.
Missed Opportunities Haunt Australia
As the day wore on, the strain began to show on the Australian team. Chances went begging, with Usman Khawaja failing to grasp a low catch at slip and Steve Smith missing a run-out opportunity with a wayward throw. These small moments, which could have swung the momentum back in Australia’s favor, instead allowed India to tighten their grip on the match.
Australia will rue those missed chances. In a low-scoring game like this, half-chances need to be taken. India have made them pay for those lapses.
– According to a cricket expert
The Road Ahead
With a commanding lead of 218 runs and all ten wickets intact, India are poised to bat Australia out of the game on day three. The pitch is expected to offer more variable bounce as the match progresses, which could spell trouble for Australia’s batsmen in the fourth innings.
For Australia to stage a comeback, they will need to strike early and often on the third morning. However, if Jaiswal and Rahul can weather the initial storm and continue to build their partnership, India may well be on course for a memorable victory in the series opener.
As the game shifts gears once more, the onus is on Australia to find a way to wrest back control. But with India’s patient approach paying rich dividends, the hosts face an uphill battle to turn the tables. The remaining days of this absorbing Test match promise to be a battle of attrition, with India holding all the aces.
