As Australia resumed their innings on day two of the ongoing second Test at the Perth Stadium, Tim Paine and Pat Cummins forged a 59-run seventh wicket stand.
To break the momentum, Umesh Yadav sent Cummins back for 19 runs. While Jasprit Bumrah trapped the Australian captain as Paine departed for 38 runs. Following their dismissal, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood went back to the pavilion without disturbing the scoreboard much. Australia posted 326 runs in their first innings.
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Chasing the target, India dealt with an early blow as Starc dismissed Murali Vijay for a duck. Opener KL Rahul too fell cheaply for two as he got knocked over by a yorker from Hazlewood. As the onus to hold India’s fort shifted on Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara’s shoulders, the duo displayed composure to rescue their side. The Indian skipper started his innings on a positive note but later slowed down, while Pujara patiently batted with a bit of luck. Australia got their much-needed breakthrough as Pujara edged a Starc delivery but went down the leg side and returned back to pavilion for 24 runs.
Following Pujara’s dismissal, Ajinkya Rahane came on the crease. With masterly Kohli as an anchor, India’s middle order pulled the team out of trouble into a position of strength. Kohli and Rahane remained unbeaten on 82 and 51 respectively and the visitors posted 172/3 at stumps. India will resume the third day trailing by 154 runs.
(ANI)