Virat Kohli’s unbeaten century has helped India set a mammoth target of 534 runs for Australia in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
At stumps on Day 3, the hosts were in deep trouble at 12/3, still needing 522 runs over the next two days to win the match.
India, resuming from 359/5 after 110 overs in the final session of Day 3, had Virat Kohli (40*) and Washington Sundar (14*) unbeaten at the crease. India crossed the 400-run mark in the 125th over. The sixth wicket to fall was Washington Sundar, who was dismissed by Nathan Lyon for 29, leaving India at 410/6.
Virat Kohli reached a significant milestone by completing his 30th Test century, an innings of resilience and grit that helped India take complete control of the game. After Kohli’s century, India declared their innings at 487/6 in 134.3 overs.
Australia’s bowlers had a tough time in the third innings, with Nathan Lyon taking two wickets while Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Marsh each picked up a wicket. Despite their efforts, the Indian batting unit set an imposing target for the hosts.
A Nightmare Start for Australia
Set a daunting target of 534 runs, Australia’s chase began on a disastrous note. Openers Nathan McSweeney and Usman Khawaja took the field, but the Indian bowlers struck early, reducing the hosts to 12/3 by stumps. Nathan McSweeney fell for a duck, captain Pat Cummins managed just 2 runs, and Marnus Labuschagne could only score 3 before being dismissed. The hosts found themselves in a precarious position, struggling against the relentless Indian pace attack.
Earlier Sessions on Day 3
India started Day 3 at 172/0, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul unbeaten overnight. Jaiswal continued his impressive form, reaching his century in the 61st over, marked by eight boundaries and three sixes. India reached the 200-run mark in the 63rd over.
KL Rahul was the first wicket to fall on Day 3 after scoring 77 runs, including five boundaries. His dismissal came off Mitchell Starc’s bowling, leaving India at 201/1. Devdutt Padikkal then joined Jaiswal at the crease, but his stay was short-lived as Josh Hazlewood dismissed him for a 23-ball duck in the very first ball of the second session. India was 275/2 at that stage.
Virat Kohli came in to stabilize the innings, and along with Jaiswal, the pair built a crucial 38-run partnership. However, Jaiswal’s well-crafted innings of 161 came to an end when Mitchell Marsh got him caught at point by Steve Smith, reducing India to 313/3. Rishabh Pant was dismissed shortly after, managing just one run before being stumped by Alex Carey off Nathan Lyon’s bowling.
Dhruv Jurel was the next to fall, scoring only one run before being taken by Pat Cummins, bringing India to 321/5. The Australians managed to pick up four wickets in the second session, with Cummins, Lyon, Hazlewood, and Marsh each contributing a wicket.
Kohli’s Masterclass and India’s Declaration
Despite the wickets falling around him, Kohli remained resolute at the crease. His unbeaten 100 helped India extend their lead beyond 500. After Kohli reached his century, India declared the innings at 487/6, setting an enormous target for Australia.
The Comeback Story
The ongoing Perth Test has been a story of comebacks for both sides. After being bowled out for just 150 in their first innings, India’s bowlers responded in style, with stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah leading the way. Bumrah claimed a five-wicket haul, while debutant Harshit Rana also made an impact, helping India bowl Australia out for 104 in their first innings and giving them a slender lead.
India’s second innings were built on the platform set by openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Kohli’s unbeaten 100 further solidified India’s position, allowing them to put Australia under tremendous pressure heading into Day 4.
Brief Scores
India: 150 & 487/6 d (Yashasvi Jaiswal 161, Virat Kohli 100*, Nathan Lyon 2/96)
Australia: 104 & 12/3 at stumps on Day 3
The match is now heavily tilted in India’s favour, with Australia needing a herculean effort to chase down 534 runs. With two days left and the Indian bowlers already making early inroads, the visitors are poised to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Support Our Journalism
The global Indian Diaspora and Australia’s multicultural communities need fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today—with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors—is doing just that. Sustaining this requires support from wonderful readers like you.
Whether you live in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, or India you can take a paid subscription by clicking Patreon and support honest and fearless journalism. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/TheAusToday