LIVE: Day 3 – India in command as Virat Kohli draws near a century
The visitors made a bright start on Day 3 at Perth with Yashasvi Jaiswal notching up a ton before Australia staged a comeback in the second session.
India started strongly on Day 3 of the opening Border-Gavaskar Test at Perth, piling on runs and extending their lead beyond 500 despite being six down just after Tea.
Yashasvi Jaiswal spearheaded the charge with a brilliant 161*,* while Virat Kohli displayed good rhythm after an early dismissal in the first innings and went on to score a half-century.
The talisman, who had notched a century at this venue back in 2018, produced some stunning shots during his stay in the middle - including a picture-perfect upper cut for six over the third man boundary and his textbook cover drive for four.
Kohli was joined by Washington Sundar in the middle after the hosts fought back with a string of wickets. The spin all-rounder managed to compile 29 runs off 94 deliveries before falling prey to Nathan Lyon as the hosts managed to run through the Indian middle order.
Australia bounce back
Earlier, Devdutt Padikkal (25) had provided solid support heading into Lunch, with his second-wicket partnership of 74 alongside Jaiswal further strengthening India's position.
Australia though made a strong comeback after the break, picking up four wickets in quick succession. Josh Hazlewood struck with the first ball after Lunch, drawing an outside edge from Padikkal's bat that was safely taken by Steve Smith in the cordon.
Jaiswal, who had added 38 runs with Virat Kohli and crossed the 150 milestone, couldn't capitalise on a wide delivery from Mitchell Marsh, hitting it straight into the hands of Smith at point.
The procession of wickets continued with Rishabh Pant looking to attack Nathan Lyon, only to be deceived for a stumping. Pat Cummins then trapped Dhruv Jurel leg before wicket in the very next over as India went from 313/2 to 321/5.
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Jaiswal sets the tone early
In his debut match on Australian soil, Yashasvi Jaiswal proved his mettle with a composed century in the second innings.
He brought up the milestone in style, executing an upper cut off Hazlewood that cleared the boundary and landed on the cushion for a six.
However, soon after, Australia finally found some relief when Mitchell Starc ended India's resilient 201-run opening stand, dismissing Rahul for a well-made 77.
Following the breakthrough, Padikkal joined Jaiswal at the crease, and together, the two southpaws kept the scoreboard ticking with boundaries flowing at regular intervals.
In the four overs with the new ball, India looked comfortable against Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, although the Australian duo were guilty of straying in their lines and lengths as they headed into Lunch.
The story of the first two days
India's batters struggled after stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and elected to bat first on a spicy Perth wicket. Josh Hazlewood led the bowling charts for Australia with a four-wicket haul, with Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh bagging two wickets each.
However, the Men in Blue fought back with the ball, with skipper Jasprit Bumrah to the fore at the very start before debutant Harshit Rana and experienced Mohammed Siraj backed him up towards the end of Day 1
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India then bowled out the home side for 104 early on Day 2, courtesy a sizzling fifer from Bumrah.
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 at stumps on Day 2. India's lead stood at 218 heading into play on Day 3.