Australia vs India: Kohli-Rahane partnership earns accolade from Ishant Sharma

India dominated Australia on the second day of the second Test in Perth on Saturday despite losing their openers early, thanks to magnificent half-centuries from captain Virat Kohli and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane which earned them praise from all, including paceman Ishant Sharma.

The visitors were 172 for 3 at stumps in reply to Australia’s first innings score of 326. Ishant himself was the pick of the Indian bowlers by taking four wickets of the home team to restrict them below 350. India were 8 for 2 after bowling out Australia with openers KL Rahul and Murali Vijay back to the hut for 2 and 0, respectively.

Thereafter Kohli came together with Adelaide centurion Cheteshwar Pujara to put up 74 runs for the third wicket and after the fall of the latter on 24, added unbeaten 90 runs in just below 31 overs for the fourth wicket.

Kohli is batting on 82 off 181 balls at the moment while Rahane is on 51 off 103 deliveries. India are now trailing by another 154 runs and the third day is most likely to decide which team gains an upper edge in the Test, the first-ever to be played at this venue.

‘India confident whenever Virat is batting’

“Whenever he [Virat Kohli] is batting, we feel pretty confident. We felt good obviously as we finished the day on a strong position. Hopefully, they both will continue tomorrow and we win the first session and turn the game in our favour. Right now I can say it’s even-steven,” Ishant said at the press conference after the day’s play got over. If Kohli can translate his fifty into a century, it will be his sixth and will put him at par with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in terms of Test tons scored by an Indian Down Under.

Rahane has come up with a counter-attacking inning after Pujara fell and has hit the only sixer in the Indian innings. Admitting its importance, Ishant Sharma said his innings made the hosts change their plans.

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