First Test: Lunch, day 3
A superstar is born. The future of Indian cricket was there for all to see in the middle of Perth Stadium on Sunday morning as 22-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal brought up a memorable maiden Test century on Australian soil to frustrate the home side’s bowlers even further.
With India already ramming home an advantage in the all-important first Test, Jaiswal added the extra 10 runs required to celebrate his fourth Test hundred from 28 innings since his debut in July last year. It was some turnaround from the duck he made on day one.
With a stunning ramp shot behind the wicket that went for six – somehow more towards fine leg than third man where it was intended – Jaiswal dropped his bat and helmet on the ground, then kissed his gloves before raising them in the air in a celebration for the ages.
After sledging Mitchell Starc for bowling too slow on Saturday – “It’s coming too slow” – Jaiswal went to lunch unbeaten on 141, with India cruising at 1-275 and boasting a 321-run lead.
India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal celebrates his century.Credit: AP
Even Sachin Tendulkar didn’t make a century in Australia until the third match he played in the 1991-92 series.
It was another forgettable session for Australia, who could only manage the wicket of KL Rahul six overs into the day, caught behind by Carey off Mitchell Starc for 77.
Jaiswal and Rahul’s 201-run partnership was the highest by an Indian opening pair against Australia in Australia and sixth best of opening duos from all countries on these shores.
Pat Cummins (0-56 off 17), Josh Hazlewood (0-23 off 16) and Nathan Lyon (0-41 off 19) have all gone wicketless across 84 overs of India’s second innings on a pitch that looks great to bat on.
