Jasprit Bumrah took brilliant five wickets as India bowled out Australia for 104 runs on Day 2 of the first Test in Perth. Resuming at 67/7, Australia lost two quick wickets in the form of Alex Carey and Nathan Lyon. Despite a resilient partnership between Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, India managed to dismiss the hosts for 104 and took a 46-run lead.
Mitchell Starc top-scored for Australia with 26, while Alex Carey contributed 21 runs. For India, Bumrah’s exceptional spell earned him five wickets, while Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj picked up three and two wickets, respectively. Earlier in the innings, India’s seamers had dominated, with Bumrah removing Khawaja, McSweeney, and Smith in quick succession. Marnus Labuschagne, struggling for runs, was dismissed early, and the Australian batting line-up was left reeling.
Starc And Hazlewood Show Grit In Australia’s Fightback
Even after that collapse, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood proved stiff resistances and ruffled India for a while. Their partnership just kept coming along steadily, raising anxiety in the Indian camp with each run. Starc looked particularly composed against the Indian pacers, riding his luck as the ball narrowly missed being edged on several occasions. After 112 deliveries, he had managed a valuable 26 runs, making him the top scorer for Australia. Hazlewood also played his part and along with him, added 25 runs from 110 balls and showed grit at the tail end of the innings.
The tension was compounded when Rishabh Pant dropped the ball off his own bowling while trying to hold onto a catch off Starc’s bat. The Indian bowlers continued to throw tough questions at the Australian pair, and Bumrah was the one who set the ball rolling.
Early Breakthroughs For India As Bumrah Strikes
The day began with Harshit Rana and Jasprit Bumrah targeting hard lengths and putting pressure on the Australian batters. The pitch showed good bounce and carry and severely tested the temperament of the Australian top order. Bumrah made an immediate impact when he dismissed Alex Carey with a brilliant delivery in his very first over of the day. Carey, whom everyone praises for tail-shepherding skills, could not prolong his stay and was packed off early. Rana responded shortly thereafter with a wicket of his own, making things precarious for Australia.
India Gains Crucial 46-Runs Lead
India’s 46-run lead might not look like a high advantage in regular Test conditions, but on this difficult surface, it could be the difference-making factor. While Australia will go awfully disappointed for their batting collapse, they would know that the game is still not over. The hosts, on their part, will take heart from India’s own batting blues and compounded inexperience in their lineup. With the Indian batters’ confidence low, there is every indication that the Australian bowlers may capitalise on the situations and get back into the contest.
Will The Pitch Conditions Improve For Batting?
The key question now is, therefore, whether the pitch has become easier to bat on. For Australia, the second-hour batting and the rearguard which Starc and Hazlewood put up in their last-wicket stand suggest that batting conditions may have been improving. India will be frustrated at the inability to finish off the innings quickly, but they would see the pitch easing as a positive for their own batting innings which follows.
Also Read: IND Vs AUS: WTC Milestone: Rishabh Pant Becomes First Wicketkeeper To Cross 2,000 Runs
The stage is now set for what could be a very interesting second half of Day 2, as both teams prepare for the post-lunch session. Stay tuned for more updates as the action unfolds.
