Australia vs India, 1st Test, Day 3 LIVE Score:
The first match of the five-Test series between India and Australia kicked off on November 22 in Perth. Today (November 24) was the third day. India declared their second innings at 487 for six, setting Australia a challenging target of 534. By stumps on the third day, Australia managed 12 runs for the loss of three wickets, with Usman Khawaja remaining at three runs. India is just seven wickets away from victory.
In India's second innings, Virat Kohli delivered a stellar performance, hitting an unbeaten century of 100 runs. This marked his 30th Test century and his first in international matches this year. India has defeated Australia on its home soil in the last two series and is eyeing a hat-trick. The 'Mega Series' consists of five matches, with the next Test scheduled for December 6 in Adelaide.
Australia's Second Innings: 3 Wickets Down
Australia's chase began on a sour note. Debutant Nathan McSweeney departed for a duck in Bumrah's first over. Nightwatchman Pat Cummins (2) was sent back by Mohammad Siraj. The third day's final wicket fell to Marnus Labuschagne (3), again claimed by Bumrah.
Devdutt Padikkal (25) then came to the crease, but his stint was short-lived as he was caught by Steve Smith off Josh Hazlewood. When Padikkal fell, the Indian score was at 275/2. Jaiswal and Padikkal shared a second-wicket stand of 74 runs.
The third blow came with Yashasvi Jaiswal's wicket after he scored a brilliant 161 from 297 balls, featuring 15 fours and three sixes. Despite his fall at 313, India quickly lost two more wickets for just eight runs: Rishabh Pant (1) and Dhruv Jurel (1) departed in quick succession.
Virat Kohli and Washington Sundar steadied the innings, crafting an 89-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Kohli reached fifty in 94 balls, hitting three fours and a six. Sundar fell to Nathan Lyon after scoring 29 from 94 deliveries.
Kohli then joined forces with Nitish Reddy, forming a solid 77-run unbeaten stand for the seventh wicket. Kohli's century, achieved in 143 balls with eight fours and two sixes, marked his 30th in Tests and 81st in international cricket. Nitish Reddy came away with 38 runs, remaining not out with three fours and two sixes, before India declared the innings.
Read More: Yashasvi Jaiswal Sets Records with First Test Century in Australia
Pace-Dominated First Innings for Both Teams
All ten first-innings wickets fell to fast bowlers, with Nitish Kumar Reddy top-scoring for India with 41 runs. Australia's bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Mitchell Marsh took two wickets each, while Josh Hazlewood led with four scalps. In response, Australia was all out for 104 in their second innings, giving India a 46-run lead as Bumrah snagged five wickets, Harshit Rana three, and Mohammed Siraj two. For Australia, Mitchell Starc was the top scorer with 26 in the first innings.
Read More: India's Comeback in Perth Test Thanks to Bowlers Led by Bumrah
Toss Triumphs at Optus Stadium
In Perth's Optus Stadium, the toss seems to play a decisive role. Historically, the team winning the toss at this venue has also won the match. With four Test matches held here, Australia has won the toss each time and elected to bat first, subsequently winning every match.
Read More: AUS vs IND Perth Test Day 2 Highlights: India Tightens Grip, Jaiswal Nears Century, Rahul Impresses
The first Test at Optus Stadium in 2018 saw India succumb to a 146-run defeat, largely thanks to Nathan Lyon's eight-wicket haul. Australia triumphed over New Zealand by 296 runs in a December 2019 Test here. A third Test between West Indies and Australia, held between November 30 and December 4, resulted in another win for Australia. In the most recent match from December 14-17, 2023, Australia decimated Pakistan by 360 runs. Clearly, the winning team on November 22's toss is likely to choose to bat first.
Perth Test Sees Three Debutants
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 got underway at Perth's Optus Stadium on November 22, with India's acting captain Jasprit Bumrah winning the toss and opting to bat. The match featured Test debuts for India's Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana, as well as Nathan McSweeney for Australia. Notably, Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were excluded from India's line-up.
India's Playing XI in Perth Test:
KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah (captain), Mohammed Siraj
Australia's Playing XI in Perth Test:
Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
India's Tour of Australia (November 2024 - January 2025)
November 22-26: First Test, PerthDecember 6-10: Second Test, AdelaideDecember 14-18: Third Test, BrisbaneDecember 26-30: Fourth Test, MelbourneJanuary 3-7: Fifth Test, Sydney
Indian Squad for Australia Tour:
Rohit Sharma (captain), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.
Australia's Squad for First Test:
Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.
