AUS vs IND 2024/25, AUS vs IND 1st Test Match Report, November 22 – 26, 2024

Australia 104 and 12 for 3 require 522 extra points to beat India 150 and 487 for December 6 (Jaiswal 161, Kohli 100*, Rahul 77)

Kohli then took the lead at the end of the third day with a drought-breaking century to add to his epic ton on the same ground in 2018. On that occasion, his exploits came in vain, but this time , it will almost surely be different after India declared their second innings at 487 for 6.

It ended a day of total dominance by India after their long-time talisman and protégé completely shattered Australia’s morale on an oppressive day in Perth where temperatures reached 36 degrees Celsius. Just like on the second day, Australia put in a performance that would attract many eyes.

They faced an Australian attack keen to redeem themselves from a lackluster performance on day two, where they looked tired and shaken by the sudden and changing nature of the pitch.

But Jaiswal was not to be denied and in keeping with his daring talents, he achieved his century in the most spectacular manner. In the 95th, he looked to flick a Hazlewood bouncer over the slip but instead hit fine leg where the ball hit the post completely. Starc, fielding nearby, signaled a six, but the umpires had to check, leaving Jaiswal with a nervous wait. The go-ahead came when Jaiswal took off his helmet before raising his arms in the air and punching the air.

There was a brief loss of concentration when the first few games had a mix-up and Jaiswal would have been run out by a mile only for Cummins to miss the direct hit at mid-off. It was not the first time the openers had miscommunicated between the wickets, as a run-out appeared to be Australia’s best chance of a breakthrough.

No. 3 Devdutt Padikkal, who got his chance in the absence of captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, made an atrocious 23-ball duck in the first innings. But he had a much better chance of succeeding with a massive platform built and in better batting conditions. Padikkal took off from his fourth delivery with a drive through the gully as he combined well with Jaiswal until lunch.

Jaiswal was unstoppable and had an answer for every Australian strategy. Cummins briefly resorted to a short ball tactic, to no avail. Labuchagne was used, but he started with a wayward bouncer called wide and he didn’t threaten to the point that later in the day he reverted to leg spin.

The second new ball was collected before lunch, but Jaiswal and Padikkal had no problem as they scored freely. Padikkal, however, fell to Hazlewood, clearly Australia’s best bowler in the innings, on the first ball after the break as a determined Kohli came out keen to end his poor form.

Underlining his desire, Kohli had spent much of the first session padded with his helmet on and he quickly showed that he had learned from his brief, disconcerting stint at the crease in the first innings when he batted well off his pregnant. This time Kohli changed his setup and didn’t go as far out of his crease. He looked much more comfortable, albeit in easier circumstances, and he was content to let Jaiswal hog the spotlight.

Jaiswal passed 150 again, but a run later he had a release after wicketkeeper Alex Carey dropped a tough chance down the leg side. Australia’s torture continued when Jaiswal smashed Cummins dismissively at mid-off before, out of nowhere, he bowled a short, wide delivery from Mitchell Marsh straight to point.

Jaiswal threw his head back in disbelief and the 26,000 spectators were also stunned before giving him a deserved standing ovation as he took off his helmet and looked up at the sky as he left the field.

Australia enjoyed their best spell of play since midway through the opening day when Lyon outsmarted Rishabh Pant to leave him stumped on 1 before Cummins finally claimed a wicket after trapping Dhruv Jurel lbw as India lost 3 for 8.

But Kohli was on a mission and in an aggressive mood as he hit Starc over the slip cordon for six in a shot that unfortunately hit a seated security guard on the side of the head.

With a statement in his sights, he put his foot down alongside debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy, who deployed T20-style batting. Having last scored a Test century in July 2023, Kohli reached his 30th Test ton in style with a boundary to deep fine leg. He took off his helmet, kissed his wife and took off amid India’s declaration as a famous victory awaited the tourists.