In the city where legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli etched their names into cricketing history, Yashasvi Jaiswal announced his arrival with a sublime 161, dismantling Australia in the first Test at Optus Stadium.
Building on Jaiswal's brilliance, Kohli ended day three with a drought-breaking century, rekindling memories of his heroics at the same ground in 2018. This time, however, India appears destined for triumph after declaring their second innings at 487 for 6, leaving Australia with a daunting 534-run target.
The chase began disastrously for the hosts, who slumped to 12 for 3 within 4.2 overs before stumps. Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah set the tone by trapping Nathan McSweeney lbw for a duck in the opening over, marking a tough debut for the opener. Mohammed Siraj then dismissed Pat Cummins, who came in as nightwatchman but edged to the slips. Marnus Labuschagne's brief stay ended when Bumrah claimed another lbw, leaving Australia in disarray.
Earlier in the day, Jaiswal and KL Rahul resumed play with a commanding position. Despite Australia’s attempts to regroup with aggressive bowling, Jaiswal showcased his audacious skills by reaching his century in spectacular fashion. On 95, he attempted to ramp a bouncer but narrowly sent it to the boundary for six, confirmed after a tense review.
The duo forged a record-breaking 201-run opening stand before Rahul fell for 77, edging a Mitchell Starc delivery. Despite a minor miscommunication that nearly resulted in a run-out, Jaiswal continued to dominate, driving India's momentum.
Australia's struggles persisted even after taking the second new ball, with Jaiswal and No. 3 Devdutt Padikkal building a solid foundation. Padikkal, eager to capitalise on favourable conditions, steadied the innings before falling to Josh Hazlewood after lunch.
Kohli, determined to end his lean patch, displayed a more calculated approach, adjusting his stance from the first innings. While Jaiswal dazzled, Kohli bided his time, eventually hitting his stride. Jaiswal’s remarkable innings ended at 162, as a misjudged shot found the fielder. He left to a standing ovation, his effort sealing his place among the game's rising stars.
Australia’s brief fightback came with Nathan Lyon dismissing Rishabh Pant and Cummins removing Dhruv Jurel in quick succession. Yet, Kohli remained unshaken, carving boundaries with ease and receiving valuable support from debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy, who showcased flair with T20-style shots.
Kohli capped off his innings in emphatic style, reaching his 30th Test century with a boundary before blowing a kiss to his wife as India declared. With the match firmly in their grasp, the visitors look set to claim a memorable victory in Perth.