Day 2 report - Jaiswal, Rahul's half-centuries has India in cruise control
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul put on their run-scoring boots and took charge for India in the second innings.
Australia v India, 1st Test, Scorecard
After a rollicking start to the day, where India bowled out the home side for 104, courtesy a sizzling fifer from stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian openers took absolute control of the first Test in Perth.
Kickstarting their second innings with a 46-run lead, it was all going in Rahul and Jaiswal's favour as the opening duo took off in sizzling style, forging an unbeaten 172-run stand in 57 overs.
Pat Cummins & Co. had no answers to the Indian opening batters' resilience as they glided through the day without losing a wicket. Stumps came up on Day 2 with India taking a crucial 218-run lead heading into play on Day 3.
Jaiswal, Rahul keep the momentum going in India's favour
Yashavi Jaiwal brought up his ninth half-century in Tests off his 123rd ball in the second innings to keep his fine run of form going. The magnificent opening-duo also breached past the 100-run partnership mark in the 38th over, extending India's lead towards 150. Starc almost handed Australia their first strike of the innings after a nick off Jaiswal's bat, but it went through the hands of Khawaja at slip. Jaiswal used Starc's pace in his favour, flicking the first six of the innings over deep-backward square.
KL Rahul soon got to his 16th half-century in Tests, a resilient and gritty knock. It was total domination from the Indian openers as they crossed their first innings total with no wickets fallen. Rahul and Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 62 and 90 respectively as India concluded Day 2 on 172/0 in 57 overs.
India build the lead
After folding for just 150 in the first innings, it seemed unlikely in the middle of the first day that India would soon be holding the reins of the Test in less than 24 hours. But come the end of second session on Day 2 and India have the upperhand, thanks to a disciplined batting performance by the openers, that has helped them build on their handy 46-run first-innings lead.
Some credit goes to the pitch, which indeed got friendlier as the day progressed and both Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul made sure that after seeing off the initial tricky period, they began punishing the bad balls. Jaiswal in particular, was his usual aggresive self, hitting some wonderful boundaries.
The duo had put on an unbeaten 84-run opening stand, with India leading by 130 runs at Tea.
Australia bowled out
Australia were rocked early on the morning of Day 2 with two quick wickets. India captain Jasprit Bumrah removed Alex Carey for 21 on his first ball of Day 2, completing his 11th five-wicket haul in Tests. Carey was undone by the seam and bounce as pushed forward, with the ball clipping his edge and landing in the hands of the wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant.
His bowling was complemented by Harshit Rana, who claimed his second wicket when he dismissed Nathan Lyon.
However, Australia regrouped thereafter. After seeing off the first hour with patient and steady batting, the host tailenders started eating into the deficit. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood offered resistance, frustrating the India bowlers with Australia crossing the 100-run mark.
The last pair added 25 crucial runs to the total in 110 balls, finally giving India a 46-run lead when Rana took his third wicket, dismissing Starc for 26.
Australia made 34 runs in the morning session, adding to their overnight 67/7.