Last Updated:
Virat Kohli saluted Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul for their opening stand against Australia.
IND vs AUS, 1st Test Day 2: Virat Kohli salutes Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul (X)
Virat Kohli saluted Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul as the pair walked back at the end of the second session on the second day’s play of the first test at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday.
In fact, Kohli was out in the field training hard at the end of the day’s play. He did not need to come out to bat after all though but was out with his bat in hand to be ready for when he is needed.
WATCH:
ALSO WATCH | Virat Kohli’s Reaction After Yashasvi Jaiswal Hits Starc For A Four Goes Viral
At Stumps on Day 2, Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul dominated Australia’s bowlers to take their team to 172 without loss, extending the touring side’s lead to 218 runs.
The hosts were skittled for 104 in the morning session courtesy of a sublime haul of 5-30 from stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah, after India were bowled out for 150 on day one in conditions ideal for seam bowling.
Jaiswal and Rahul ended the day unbeaten on 90 and 62, as the hosts failed to take a wicket in two sessions, a dizzying change of pace from day one when 17 wickets tumbled.
India’s opening duo skilfully negotiated the new ball after lunch, defending and working singles with an ease which suggested the pitch had lost its demons.
The shot of the day came in the 13th over when Rahul executed a gloriously timed straight drive past bowler Pat Cummins to the boundary.
Not to be outdone, Jaiswal punished the Australia captain for bowling too short, floating an upper-cut over the wicketkeeper.
The first six came in the final hour, when the 22-year-old Jaiswal lifted Mitchell Starc over fine leg.
The biggest cheer, however, was reserved for the oft-maligned Rahul, who poked Mitchell Marsh to third man to bring up his 16th test fifty.
While Cummins was left searching for answers, and part-timers Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne were unable to provide any, an ever-expansive Jaiswal launched spinner Nathan Lyon for a maximum over long on to put a cherry on the tourists’ day.
(With inputs from Agencies)
