Perth: India continued to assert its dominance over Australia on Day 4 of the second Test at Optus Stadium, reducing the visitors to 104 for 5 at lunch on Monday.
Chasing an improbable 534 for victory, Australia face a monumental task with just five wickets in hand and 430 more runs required.
The Indian bowlers were in fine form from the start of the morning session. Mohammed Siraj struck the first blow, dismissing Usman Khawaja for just 4. Khawaja attempted a pull shot against a rising delivery, but the extra bounce caused a miscue that ended in a straightforward catch for Rishabh Pant.
Steven Smith (17), battling valiantly, was the next to fall. He edged a superb delivery from Siraj to Pant after a dogged 60-ball stay at the crease. Smith’s dismissal was a significant breakthrough for India, further exposing Australia’s fragile middle order.
Travis Head offered some resistance with a counterattacking knock, reaching his fifty in just 63 balls. His innings was laced with aggressive strokes, including seven boundaries, as as he tried to defy India’s relentless attack. At the other end, Mitchell Marsh struggled to settle, repeatedly troubled by Jasprit Bumrah’s sharp and rising deliveries.
Debutant Harshit Rana also impressed with his fiery spell, hitting Smith on the ribs with a well-directed bouncer and consistently testing the batsmen with movement and bounce.
India’s bowlers, led by Bumrah and Siraj, have kept Australia on the back foot throughout the match. With the pitch showing uneven bounce and cracks widening, Australia’s slim hopes of avoiding defeat rest heavily on Head’s shoulders.
Brief Scores:
India: 150 & 487/6 declared; Australia: 104 & 104/5 (Travis Head 63*, Mitchell Marsh 5*; Mohammed Siraj 3/34, Jasprit Bumrah 2/26).
