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The third day of the India-Australia Test match in Perth witnessed a complete dominance by the Indian team, spearheaded by the exceptional performances of Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Both batsmen crafted magnificent centuries, showcasing their exceptional skill and composure under pressure. Jaiswal's innings, a breathtaking 161, marked his fourth Test century, a testament to his burgeoning talent and rapid ascension in the world of Test cricket. His innings was particularly impressive given the learning curve from his first innings performance, which saw him adapting his technique to ride the bounce more effectively. Kohli, on the other hand, reached his 30th Test century and 81st overall international century, cementing his legacy as one of the all-time greats. His calm and composed approach at the crease was a stark contrast to his first innings performance, demonstrating his remarkable ability to adjust to the demands of the game. His partnership with Washington Sundar and later with Nitish Kumar Reddy further solidified India's position of strength, showcasing a well-rounded team effort.
The partnership between Kohli and Sundar played a crucial role in steering India to a commanding position. They expertly rotated the strike, negating the tricks that the pitch began to offer. However, Sundar's dismissal, a result of a wild slog-sweep, did little to dampen India's spirits. The subsequent quickfire 77-run partnership between Kohli and Nitish Kumar Reddy in just 8.4 overs completely destabilized Australia. Nitish's aggressive batting, punctuated by several boundaries and a six, injected momentum into the Indian innings, freeing Kohli to unleash his own attacking prowess. Kohli himself contributed with a six straight down the ground. The partnership was characterized by a relentless assault on the Australian bowling attack, leaving the Australian fielders visibly weary from the relentless pressure of the day, further compounded by the extreme heat of Western Australia.
Kohli's eventual century, achieved with a sweep shot to fine-leg, triggered an immediate declaration by India. This strategic move aimed to maximize the limited time available to exploit the Australian batting lineup. The declaration set a formidable target of 534 runs, placing immense pressure on Australia's batsmen to perform exceptionally well. The ensuing 27 minutes of play proved disastrous for the Australian side, as they lost three quick wickets, finding themselves teetering at a precarious 12 for 3 at stumps. The collapse highlighted the devastating impact of India's bowling attack, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj taking crucial wickets early on. The early dismissals included a miserable Test debut for Nathan McSweeney, who was clean bowled by Bumrah and captain Pat Cummins, who was caught behind by Kohli. Labuschagne was also trapped LBW by Bumrah, leaving Australia facing an uphill battle to avoid defeat.
Earlier in the day, the opening partnership between KL Rahul and Jaiswal had laid the foundation for India's dominance. They had stitched together India's first-ever 200-run opening stand in Australia, setting an aggressive tone for the innings. Rahul contributed a solid 77 runs before being dismissed, but Jaiswal continued to forge ahead, eventually reaching his century with a ramp shot over fine-leg. This was a significant milestone, particularly given his close run-out calls in the middle of his innings and his learnings from the first innings. He capitalized on this momentum, showcasing his exceptional talent and resilience to eventually reach 161 runs before he was eventually caught at point after showing off his strong stroke play. Despite a short period where Australia managed to take four quick wickets, including that of Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel, the damage had already been done. The Australian bowlers, fatigued by the heat and the relentless pressure, were ultimately unable to contain the Indian batsmen.
The match is far from over, with India still needing seven wickets to secure a resounding victory. However, given their commanding lead of 521 runs and the precarious position of the Australian batting lineup, India appears to be firmly in control. The impressive display of batting from Kohli and Jaiswal, coupled with the efficient bowling performance, sets the stage for a potentially historic win for India. The coming days will determine the final outcome, but Day 3 firmly belonged to India, a testament to their strong team spirit and the brilliance of their individual players.