November 23, 2024: India has firmly positioned itself in the driver’s seat in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series, thanks to superb centuries from young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and veteran KL Rahul in the Perth Test.
On a challenging Perth pitch, India’s opening pair gave them a solid foundation, both contributing handsomely to the scoreboard. Jaiswal, in particular, impressed with his attacking stroke play, reaching his second Test century with flair, while Rahul’s composed knock added much-needed stability to the innings.
Jaiswal’s Masterclass: Jaiswal was the star of the day, making 115 runs off 178 balls, with 14 boundaries. His innings was a display of technical proficiency, handling both pace and spin with ease.
Rahul’s Resilience: Rahul’s 102 runs off 198 balls was a more measured knock, as he anchored the innings for long periods, ensuring India stayed on top. His gritty century, which came at a crucial juncture, allowed India to build a massive lead over Australia.
The Australian bowling attack struggled to break through India’s defences, with Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc getting only sporadic success. Despite their best efforts, the Australian bowlers couldn’t curb the Indian charge.
India’s Lead: At the close of Day 2, India has amassed a strong total of 416/3, giving them a commanding 218-run lead over Australia, with 7 wickets still in hand.
Looking Ahead: With a healthy advantage and two set batsmen at the crease, India will look to further extend the lead and potentially push for a declaration to put Australia under pressure.
This outstanding partnership has put India in a strong position to push for a win and take control of the series. As the pitch continues to offer assistance to both pace and spin, the final two days promise to be crucial for both teams.
The Indian team will be looking to capitalize on their momentum, while Australia will need to produce a determined response in order to fight back into the game.
