Tags: India's tour of Australia 2024, Australia vs India, First Test Perth, Nov 22-26, 2024, Australia, India
Published on: Nov 25, 2024
Score card | Explanation | Graph
Day three at the Perth Stadium will go down in the annals of Test cricket as one of the most memorable days for Indian fans and one of the darkest for Australian cricket. This article was published in an era of individual wisdom and collective control, leaving Australia reeling from the overwhelming performance of visitors.
Raising the Last Ball
Marnus Labuschagne, No. Australia's reliable 3, covered the home team's frustration. Facing Jasprit Bumrah, he raised his hands to a delivery that caught him in front of the stumps. As a shaded Optus Stadium looked on, Labuschagne stood firm, dealing with a moment that seemed to symbolize Australia's batting line-up. The ball hitting his bags was the last action of the day, confirming India's supremacy.
It was Bumrah's show again. Earlier, Nathan McSweeney and Pat Cummins fell to Bumrah's precision, the latter walking into a painful spot as the Australian captain staggered, shoulders heaving under the weight of expectations and reality. Bumrah, with his solid presence and unerring accuracy, seemed like the unstoppable force that India had become.
Arrival of Jaiswal
The day started with Yashasvi Jaiswal introducing himself on the main stage. The 22-year-old produced a number of stunning shots, combining elegance and technical brilliance. Every line he hit was a sentence; each one has a proof of his personality. Jaiswal's maiden Test century on Australian soil was not just an innings - it was representative of a future star. He topped the first innings score for both teams and left the crowd, and the Australian players, in awe.
Standing tall under the pressure of a hostile crowd and high expectations, Jaiswal looked everything India had hoped it would be. The stadium was lit up by his backstage performances, his skillful drawing and his best pictures. When he finally fell, the youngster had cemented his place in the hearts of Indian fans and a place on the radar of Australian pundits for years to come.
Kohli's team
If Jaiswal's innings was a revelation, Virat Kohli's century was the seal. Along with the foundation laid by Jaiswal and KL Rahul, Kohli showed why he remains one of the most respected batsmen in the game. His 30th century was not just a milestone; it was a warning for the whole series.
There was no shortage of Kohli's trademark moments: a superb cover from Mitchell Starc, a top drive for a six, and a superb drive from Cummins, the highlight. The importance of his ton was not only running but in the mental crisis it gave India. Kohli's celebration, subdued but firm, spoke volumes about his intentions for the tour.
Final Rule
By the time the Indian bowlers took over, Australia were on the ropes. Bumrah's recent forays under the fading Perth lights weren't just wickets; it was a remarkable fact on the day when India belonged to him. As the team left the field, reluctantly led by young Jaiswal, their spirits were in stark contrast to the dejected Australians.
A Tale of Two Groups
For India, it was a day of affirmation and celebration. For Australia, it was a stark reminder of the work required to compete against a team firing on all cylinders. The difference between the two sides was stark, and the record for this Test match, perhaps the series, seemed firmly in India's hands.
This day in Perth will not only be remembered for the cricket played but for what it symbolised: the arrival of India's new hero Jaiswal, the revival of their talisman Kohli, and the brilliance of their spearhead Bumrah . It was a day when everything clicked for India, leaving Australia searching for answers under the long shadow cast by the setting sun and their performance.
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