NEW DELHI: After a chaotic first day that saw 17 wickets fall, only three wickets tumbled on the second day of the first Test between India and Australia, as the pitch has changed drastically at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
What initially seemed like a match destined to finish within three days now appears likely to extend further, given the current situation.
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Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul batted resolutely through two sessions, frustrating Australia with their unbeaten 172-run partnership. Their effort has put the visitors firmly in control, extending India’s lead to 218 runs.
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The formidable Australian pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood struggled to make an impact, despite their dominance in the first innings.
Now the big question emerges regarding the drastic transformation of the Perth pitch. The surface, which was a nightmare for batters on Friday, turned into a batting paradise just a day later?
In the lead-up to the Test, the Perth pitch lacked ideal preparation due to unseasonal rain, with the general belief being that the absence of ample sunshine had left it with plenty of spice.
However, the second day saw the sun shining brightly, transforming conditions. The heavy cricketing action on the first day hardened the surface, leaving little assistance for the bowlers. And the moment the ball became old and the seam became softer, the run making was a very easy affair on Day 2.
Pitch curator Isaac McDonald acknowledged before the match that unseasonal rain had prevented the ground staff from preparing the pitch in their usual manner.
“Yeah, it’s definitely not traditional Perth Test prep,” the curator said on Wednesday.
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald also came out in support of his bowlers saying they have done no wrong but the pitch dried up quite quickly that eventually helped Indian batters.
“The surface looked considerably dry today. It dried out fairly quickly,” said McDonald during the post-day press conference.
“We thought there may have been a little bit more there. So, I suppose if you want to say that we were a little bit surprised, yeah, there wasn’t as much seam movement or swing.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan took a hilarious dig at the way the Perth pitch changed in just two days.
“Itna jaldi to meri wife ka mood bhi change nahi hota jitni jaldi ye pitch badli hai,” Pathan wrote on X while commenting about the change in pitch colour.
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