Rahul, Jaiswal push India’s lead to 130

Rahul, Jaiswal push India's lead to 130

KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal consolidated India's position, pushing the lead past 100 runs at Tea on Day 2 in Perth. The Aussie bowlers couldn't breach the opening stand, with seam movement significantly lesser compared to the first innings.

Rahul played watchfully, avoiding easy edges and inducing nicks that fell short of the slip cordon. Jaiswal was cautious too, not chasing deliveries in the fourth and fifth stump channel. The pair took their chances against Pat Cummins, pulling and flicking him for quick runs, and ran well when opportunities came up.

Jasprit Bumrah took a fifer, including the wicket of in-form Alex Carey. Harshit Rana, who indulged in banter with Mitchell Starc, bounced out Nathan Lyon. A defiant final-wicket stand worth 25 runs stonewalled India from gaining a bigger lead, but Australia were bowled out for 104, giving India a 46-run lead, which became 130 by the end of the second session.

Brief Scores:
India: 150 & 84/0 (Jaiswal 42*, Rahul 34*)
Australia: 104 (Mitchell Starc 26; Jasprit Bumrah 5-30, Harshit Rana 3-48)
India leads by 130 runs