India extended their lead to 405 runs in the second session of Day 3 against Australia in Perth. With Virat Kohli (40*) at the helm, the Indian team are at 359/5 and in total control of the proceedings. With sun beating down hard, the surface certainly offered little to no assistance to the bowlers.
The first session of Day 3 witnessed Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring his fourth test ton and KL Rahul getting dismissed for 77. The visitors began the second session at 275/1 in 84 overs.
In only the first ball, Josh Hazlewood induced a thick outside edge from Devdutt Padikkal, which was caught at the slips by Steve Smith. Then, Virat Kohli arrived at the crease for the Indian team and exuded confidence with his foot movements and patience to leave the good balls.
On the other hand, Jaiswal displayed maturity and signaled that he is in for a big haul. The southpaw reached the 150-run mark, while also scoring a boundary through his level-headed straight drive in the 88th over.
Kohli showed flashes of his older self with his delightful cover drive and sending the ball back past the non-striker to the boundary. With his new found stance, the right-hander looked elegant with his balance and forward stride.
Jaiswal was starting to look dangerous, as he dispatched Mitchell Starc’s delivery to the extra-cover boundary in utter disdain. However, in only the next over, the left-hander was caught at the point, as he flashed the blade hard to a shorter delivery, but found Smith perfectly. Jaiswal slammed 161 off 297, with 15 fours and three sixes.
Virat Kohli remains put despite openings on other end
After Yashasvi Jaiswal’s departure, Rishabh Pant came in at No. 5. The southpaw displayed his intent by charging against Mitchell Marsh in only his first ball.
Sensing Pant’s aggressive intent, Nathan Lyon was smart enough to dart in the ball well outside the off-stump. Pant fell into the trap as he was well out of the crease and was stumped by Alex Carey for 1 off 4.
Soon, Dhruv Jurel (1) was trapped LBW by Pat Cummins, and India were reduced to 321/5. However, Virat Kohli looked on course with his timing and old temperament.
In the 101st over, Kohli displayed a lofted cut shot to a wayward ball of Mitchell Starc, which landed beyond the rope and landed on the steward’s head. The physios came in rushing and thankfully he was fine.
Washington Sundar made his intent clear with his lofted inside-out cover drive to Travis Head, which went for a six. Then, the rest of the overs was quiet, as India ended the second session on 359/5 and lead by 406 runs.
The last session might see India enhancing their run-rate and could also look to declare to put Australia under pressure by letting them face the last few overs of the day.
