India need seven wickets to win the Perth Test to start their Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 campain in style. After Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal's record-breaking centuries, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj pushed Australia on the back foot by reducing them for 12 for three wickets.
Chasing a target of 534, Australia lost their first wicket off the fourth ball of the innings. Nathan McSweeney got out lbw to Bumrah for a four-ball duck. Skipper Pat Cummins walked out to bat as nightwatchman but edged one off Mohammed Siraj to Kohli. Cummins scored just two runs from eight balls. In the next over, Bumrah got rid of a nervey Marnus Labuschagne who got out lbw. Labuschange who has three Test centuries at the venue scored three runs from five balls. Australia were 12/3 after 4.2 overs at the end of Day 3's play.
Jaiswal hits century, quick wickets in second session
Earlier, Indian batters piled on runs in Perth. Starting at 172/0, Yashasvi Jaiswal reached his century with a six off Mitchell Starc. Mitchell Starc broke the partnership with KL Rahul's wicket. He scored 77 runs from 176 balls including five fours. Their 201-run partnership is the highest opening partnership for India in Australia.
Devdutt Padikkal fell just after the lunch break to Josh Hazlewood. He scored 25 runs from 71 balls. Jaiswal scored 161 runs from 297 deliveries before getting out to a short and wide delivery from Mitchell Marsh. The young opener scored 161 runs from 297 balls including 15 fours and three sixes. Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel got out after contributing just one run each to the score.
Kohli hits century, Reddy rubs salt on wounds
Washington Sundar and Kohli shared an 89-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Sundar got bowled by Lyon for a 94-ball 29. Nitish Reddy and Kohli looked to score quickly. Reddy tormented tired Australian bowlers. Meanwhile, Kohli reached his 30th Test century from 143 balls. He hit eight fours and two sixes. On the other end, Reddy remained unbeaten for 38 off 27 balls including three fours and a couple of sixes. Bumrah declared as soon as Kohli reached his century. India were 487/6.
With seven wickets left in hand, Australia need to pull off the highest run chase in the history of Test cricket to win the series opener.
