BGT 2024 | Jaiswal and Rahul form an impenetrable wall, leaving Aussies frustrated as India takes control

ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

Last Saturday at 3:37 PM

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After bowling out Australia for 104 runs and taking a 46-run lead, India had a strong outing with the bat. With the pitch offering little assistance to the Aussie bowlers, Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul built a solid partnership, taking India to 172/0 at the end of Day 2.

‌The Aussie batters faced relentless pressure on the second day, collapsing to 67/7 by the close of play on the first day. Overnight batters Mitchell Starc and Alex Carey took to the field on the second morning, but Jasprit Bumrah continued to dominate with his incisive bowling. The Indian skipper dismissed Carey in the 29th over, bringing Nathan Lyon to the crease. The pitch still favoured the pacers, and Harshit Rana soon found Lyon’s edge, reducing Australia to 79/9. Frustration simmered among the Indian bowlers as they struggled to take the last wicket, with Starc and Josh Hazlewood putting up stubborn resistance and adding 18 runs to the score. Finally, the moment arrived for the Indian pacers when Rana scalped Starc, dismissing Australia for just 104 runs and setting up a 46-run lead as lunch was called.

Post-lunch, the Indian batting displayed a much-improved performance compared to their first innings, with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal showing solid technique and discipline. They started cautiously, taking the score to 27/0 in 10 overs, before gradually shifting gears. By the 15th over, the duo had pushed the score to 52/0, extending their lead to 98 runs. The Australian bowlers, frustrated by the steady progress, tried to break the opening stand, but the Indian pair continued to dominate. As the session continued and the seam movement diminished, the Indian openers kept the scoreboard ticking. By the 26th over, India had moved to 84/0, extending their lead to a commanding 130 runs.

The final session began with the same steady approach from the Indian openers, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, as they adjusted to the slower pitch conditions. By the 38th over, India had reached 101/0, leading by 147 runs. Jaiswal’s patience paid off as he brought up his maiden half-century on Australian soil, facing 123 balls. Meanwhile, the frustration for the Aussie side grew as sloppy fielding and missed chances allowed the Indian openers to assert complete control. As Jaiswal and Rahul continued their dominance, Rahul also brought up his half-century from 124 deliveries. With no breakthrough in sight, India’s score advanced to 160/0, extending their lead to 206 runs. The session concluded with India in a commanding position, finishing at 174/0 in 57 overs, leading by 218 runs at the stumps.

Class recognising class

Virat Kohli saluting Yashasvi and Rahul 🫡🥰
— Atmaram Tukaram Bhide (@BakchodBhide)

Intensity

🗣 "𝙈𝙖𝙝𝙤𝙡 𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝙋𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙜𝙖, 𝘿𝙪𝙢 𝙇𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝙋𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙜𝙖 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙙𝙖" it's the and Rishabh knows how to keep the team's morale high! 🙅🏻‍♂

Watch 👉 Day 2, LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia)

LOL

"Ye game hai ICU ka ward ni agr serious hi commentary dekhni hai to FOX hi dekh lo." 🤯😂

Wasim Akram take on the India fans ⤵️
— Abu Bakar Tarar (@abubakartarar_)

Never ever

Never in my wildest dreams, I imagined Team India not losing even a single wicket after playing 57 overs that too at Perth.
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha)

Brilliant batting

KL Rahul is showing how the openers should bat in overseas conditions.

Openers job is not only to score but bat till ball gets older. By far, he is the best batsman for India.
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991)

Gone

AUSTRALIA ALL OUT FOR 104!

Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood stuck around for as long as they could, before being dismissed just before lunch to see India lead by 46 runs at the main break.
— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket)

Brilliant

Brilliant stuff by Jaiswal and KL 🥳🥳🥳

India second innings - 172/0

Lead by 218 💥💥💥💥💥
— PavantaRRRakᴰᴱⱽᴬᴿᴬᵒⁿˢᵉᵖ²⁷ (@PavanTarakroyal)

Just double it

If India scores another 250-300 runs then we can get a lead of 500.. Hope our batsman maintain the momentum Tomm n day after if possible .. Dnt underestimate the Aussies.. get max runs as much as possible..
— Rayalaseema Chinnodu (@screwtequila)

Brilliant