Watch: Virat Kohli salutes Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul for their heroics in brilliant post-day 2 gesture

Virat Kohli is a true leader, and he proved it time and again. One such instance has been winning the hearts of the fans after India finished Day 2 of the ongoing first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 on a high at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul played awesome cricket and made the most of a dramatic shift in the nature of the Optus Stadium pitch to help the tourists take a commanding lead in the ongoing first Test against Australia in Perth.

Virat Kohli hails Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul's dominance with a heartwarming gesture in Perth

After the stumps, Virat Kohli was seen applauding both Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul as the Indian openers returned unbeaten on Day 2 of the ongoing Perth Test. While Jaiswal is now 10 short of his hundred, Rahul also looked solid at 62* against Australia.

Read Also: KL Rahul breaks colossal records following sensational performance in Perth Test

As both Rahul and Jaiswal walked off the ground after the end of the play of Day 2, Virat Kohli came to the ground to express his tribute to his teammates. The former Indian skipper was seen clapping with the bat for the Indian openers for their remarkable efforts against Australia in Perth. Also, Kohli acknowledged the heroics of the batters with a classy salute.

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Meanwhile, the Indian openers have played through two full sessions, extending India’s lead to 218 runs against Australia in the ongoing first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Rahul and Yashasvi stitched the record opening partnership, an unbeaten 172 runs off 346 balls, in the ongoing Perth Test.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul on full song against Australia in Perth Test

However, Australia came up with a strategy to bowl tightly in the final session, and the hosts managed to contain the runs, conceding just 22 in 17 overs before the drinks break. But things changed after the break, as the Indian openers scored 66 runs in the next 14 overs in Perth.

Read Also: Watch: Yashasvi Jaiswal challenges Marnus Labuschagne to run him out; Aussie star's fake throws spark laughter

Jaiswal is now just 10 runs shy of a century, while Rahul has steadily moved to 62 in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener in Perth. There have been a few moments of luck as a few Australian players dropped crucial catches, but for the most part, the Indian openers have maintained control, showing great discipline, adjusting their natural aggressive style.

Notably, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli were the last Indian pair who batted through two consecutive sessions in a SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) Test at the MCG in 2018 before Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul in the Perth Test.

You will remember this moment forever: Virat Kohli to Nitish Kumar Reddy

Recently, Kohli hailed Nitish Kumar Reddy, who made an impactful debut against Australia in the Perth Test. He handed the dream Test debut cap to Nitish, who made 41 runs and scalped one wicket in the ongoing first Test against Australia at the Optus Stadium.

Kohli said, “Nitish, you worked so hard to get here. I know looking at you and observing you in the training—you deserve to be here, making your debut for India in Test Cricket; you will remember this moment forever.”

To which Reddy stated, “Dream to get the Test cap from my idol Virat Kohli and to walk out for India. It is a proud moment. India A series helps me to acclimatize to the conditions.”