India pile on runs to lead Australia by 218 in Perth Test

India have moved into a commanding position against Australia in the first Test in Perth, building a 218-run lead with 10 wickets in hand by the close of play on Saturday.

After the first day of the five-Test series produced 17 wickets, day two was a stark contrast as India put on a batting masterclass.

Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (90 not out) and KL Rahul (62 not out) combined for an unbeaten 172-run partnership in India’s second innings, turning the match on its head.

Cricket betting odds swung drastically in response to the first two day’s action in the Border-Gavaskar series.

Having opened as $1.40 favourites to win the Test, Australia are now $6.50 underdogs, with India paying $1.16 to prevail at thetop online bookmakers.

The day began in a similar fashion to day one, with the remaining three Australian wickets falling quickly on Saturday morning, giving India a 46-run first-innings lead which they then built on.

Both Jaiswal and Rahul had to work hard for their runs initially, but the pitch improved over the course of the day, slowing up and offering less movement off the seam.

“The surface looked considerably drier today, it dried out fairly quickly,” Australian coach Andrew McDonald said after stumps.

“We thought there may have been a little bit more there.

“There wasn’t as much seam movement or swing, and I think the bowlers were presenting the same in a similar fashion to the way they were yesterday.

“In terms of the way that we bowled, I don’t think was too dissimilar to yesterday.

“Potentially, early on, we may have been a fraction short if I was to be critical, but I thought they went about their work well.

Given how favoured Australia were at cricket bookmakers heading into the Test, McDonald was candid about his side’s current position.

“There’s no doubt we’re clearly well behind the game at this stage,” he said.

“We’ve got some problems to solve ahead of us.”

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