November 23, 2024: At the end of the second session on Day 2 of the opening Test match at Optus Stadium, India is in a commanding position, leading by 130 runs.
The Indian openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, have put on an unbroken partnership of 84 runs, with Jaiswal on 42* and Rahul on 34*, as they reach 84/0 in their second innings.
The session began with India starting their innings with a lead of 46 runs after Australia had been bowled out for just 104 runs in their first innings. The two Indian openers initially took their time to settle in, but then began to assert themselves, picking up the pace as they grew in confidence.
Jaiswal and Rahul were particularly effective in their partnership, bringing up their 50-run stand in the 15th over. Rahul’s positive strokeplay was highlighted when he picked up a triple off Pat Cummins to raise the partnership, and soon after, India moved past the 100-run lead in the following over.
Australia’s first innings had ended in dramatic fashion earlier in the day. Resuming on 67/7, the hosts were quickly reduced to 70/8, as India’s talismanic pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, removed wicketkeeper Alex Carey for 21, dismissing him behind the stumps to bring up his 11th five-wicket haul in Tests. Harshit Rana soon followed up with the wicket of Nathan Lyon (5), reducing Australia to 79/9.
Despite a defiant 26 from Mitchell Starc and some gritty resistance from Josh Hazlewood, who blocked out numerous deliveries, India wrapped up Australia’s innings for just 104 runs. Starc’s 112-ball stay came to an end when he was caught behind off Bumrah’s bowling, and Australia’s hopes of further resistance evaporated.
Bumrah (5/30) was the star of the show with the ball, while Harshit Rana (3/48) and Mohammed Siraj (2/20) played crucial roles in wrapping up the innings. India’s bowlers were clinical, with Bumrah’s 18 overs of sustained pressure and Siraj’s timely breakthroughs, particularly against Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh.
India now holds a significant 130-run lead, and with both openers looking solid at the crease, they will look to push on after tea and extend their advantage further.
