Australia’s bowlers showcased outstanding skill and precision, reducing India to a challenging position in the ongoing Test match in Perth. The standout performances came from Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who took key wickets as India struggled to build partnerships. With precise bowling and sharp fielding, the hosts are in a commanding position.

Reddy's promising knock cut short by brilliant catch

Amidst the top-order fall Reddy was trying to stand tall on his debut match, but in a moment of brilliance, Usman Khawaja took a stunning running catch to dismiss India's Nitish Reddy for 41 (59). Reddy had been looking confident at the crease, displaying impressive shots, including an upper-cut for six and a few boundaries. However, his promising innings ended when he top-edged a pull shot off Pat Cummins’ bowling, handing Khawaja a spectacular catch.

Pant falls to Cummins after brief resistance

Rishabh Pant, who had been playing steadily, fell for 37 (78) when a thick leading edge was caught by Steve Smith in the slips off Cummins’ bowling. Pant’s dismissal proved to be a turning point, as India lost another key wicket, leaving their middle order exposed.

Earlier Dhruv Jurel (11 off 20) also fell to Starc, caught by Labuschagne, while Washington Sundar (4 off 15) was dismissed poking outside off, caught by Carey. KL Rahul (26 off 74) was given out caught behind after a review confirmed an edge. Virat Kohli (5 off 12) and Devdutt Padikkal (0 off 23) fell to short-pitched deliveries, both caught by Khawaja and Carey respectively. Yashasvi Jaiswal (0) was another early casualty, edging Starc to McSweeney at gully. India’s lower order struggled to resist, and they were eventually dismissed by the Australian bowlers in a dominant performance.

See Also: "Follow the process" - Here's what Kohli says Yashasvi before the Perth Test

Marsh strikes twice, breaking India's middle order

Australia’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance, picking up wickets at crucial moments and putting India under constant pressure. Pat Cummins was the standout, claiming key wickets, including that of Nitish Reddy, who was caught by Khawaja after a tough midwicket chance, and Bumrah, who edged a full delivery to Carey. Josh Hazlewood also played a pivotal role, dismissing both Kohli and Padikkal, with the former caught by Khawaja and the latter caught by Carey. Nathan Lyon, with his subtle spin, contributed by dismissing Nitish Reddy with a reverse-sweep catch, further rattling the Indian lineup. Mitchell Starc made his mark with wickets of Jurel and Jaiswal, while Mitchell Marsh’s accurate bowling accounted for Sundar, caught by Carey. The Australian bowlers, led by Cummins and supported by Hazlewood, Lyon, Starc, and Marsh, were relentless in their efforts, securing India’s collapse and restricting them to a modest total.

India were bowled out for 150, with Nitish Reddy (41) and Rishabh Pant (38) being the top scorers. Australia’s bowlers, led by Josh Hazlewood (4/29) and Mitchell Marsh (2/12), dominated the innings.