India gains upperhand after dramatic arm wrestle. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
In a game of wildly fluctuating fortunes, India have grabbed the upperhand over Australia as the gamble to match pace for pace has so far backfired on a pacy and unpredictable Perth wicket.
22- year -old batting sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal showing maturity beyond his age, combined with brilliant K.L Rahul to reduce Australia’s feared pace quartet to worrying ineffectual impact as they built what looks like an imposing total on a wicket that may give the Indians an edge.
Jaiawal is 90 not out and heading for his third Test century at his tender age suggesting a continuation of incredible batting talent emerging from the Indian riches.
How Australia responds, and if they can make early inroads into this massive partnership, will hinge on Australia’s chances to swing things around or hold off an embarrassing start to the Border- Gavaskar series.
Jasprit Bumrah’s decision to bat first after winning the toss was questionable when Australia’s four prong pace attack tore the heart of India’s batting as the slumped to a meagre 150.
But on a day where the bowlers had total dominance over the bat, Australia soon discovered that India’s attack was up to the challenge as they struggled against the movement and bounce produced by Bumrah, 5 for 30 newcomer Harshit Rana, 3 for48 and Mohamed Siraj, 2 for 20 who had them guessing for most of it before falling prey.
By the end of the first days play, both teams were stunned by the events as 17 wickets fell in a dramatic collapse and left the Aussies teetering on what could have been their lowest total against the Indians.
Incredibly, all the wickets taken were by the fast men, world number one rated Bumrah grabbing career best figures of 5 for 30.
Thanks to a fighting rearguard action by Mitchell Stark and Josh Hazelwood Australia was saved some blushes as the eked out a valuable 37 runs for the last wicket to see them reach 104 all out, 46 runs in arrears.
Day two then saw a dramatic turnaround proving that the Aussie tailendenders fightback clearly suggested a change in the nature of the wicket.
India’s openers, K.L Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal soon found no terrors in the usually lethal fast men as the carefully negotiated their start, then accelerated at a commanding rate to baffle the Australian attack who got no joy as they posted 172 without loss and a second wicket partnership that threatens the highest partnership against Australia.
As it stands, Australia is staring down the barrel of a gigantic chase and the possibility of a humiliating start to the Summer of cricket at home.
India have shown they are here to compete much against the anticipation of the experts, after their recent humiliation at home against New Zealand where they were thrashed 3-0 at home.
Day three will reveal if Australia have enough fight to cut India’s advantage and leave enough for their batters to hit their straps and try to make it a facinating contest.
Being the top two teams in World rankings, the stage is set for a humdinger.
