Australia was in commanding position at the end of the fourth day of the second test in Perth against India as it just need five wickets to win the test and level the 4-match series 1-1. Chasing a target of 287, India was 112/5 at the stumps. India still need 175 runs to win the test, which looks difficult considering that Indian side is already 5 wickets down and the last recognised batsmen pair was at the crease in the form of
Hanuma Vihari and wicker keeper Rishabh Pant. Hanuma Vihari was playing at 24 and Pant was at 9.
India stated the second innings badly as it lost opener KL Rahul in the very first over. Cheteshwar Pujara also got out early on a brilliant ball and India was reduced to 15/2 at Lunch. Post lunch captain
Virat Kohli and Vijay tried to rescue the innings but Lyon dismissed both the batsmen in quick succession.
Earlier, Australia were bowled out for 243. The hosts were going strong till lunch, but wickets started tumbling at regular intervals in the post-lunch session and thus the hosts could only manage to take a 286-run lead.
Usman Khawaja (72) was the top scorer for Australia, while Skipper Tim Paine chipped in with 37.
Towards the end, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood forged a 36-run partnership in 38 balls for the last wicket to help their team post a challenging total.
For India, Mohammad Shami was the most successful bowler, scalping six wickets while Jasprit Bumrah took three wickets.
Earlier, Australia were 190/4 in their second innings, taking a healthy lead of 233 runs at lunch.
Resuming the day at 132/4, Paine and Khawaja started the proceeding on a positive note. The duo played cautiously in the first hour and then started playing their shots.