Australia vs India 2018: 2nd Test Match, Perth - Match Report

Australia has levelled the four-match series 1-1 after winning the second Perth Test match by a mammoth margin of 146 runs. It took just one hour for the Australian bowlers to wrap up the final five wickets of the Indian team. India could add only 28 runs to their overnight score to skittle out for paltry 140.

In fact, it was always going to be a tough chase in the fourth innings. The tourists were hugely dependent on the shoulders of Virat Kohli and once the Indian captain got out, it was always going to be all but impossible.

Australia goes level in the series.

Meanwhile, Australia was able to tick the right boxes as they were relentless in their approach. Nathan Lyon was the pick of the Australian bowlers as the off-spinner scalped eight wickets in the match. Subsequently, Lyon was adjudged the Man of the match.

On the other hand, the Optus Stadium pitch had a two-paced pitch. Sometimes, the pitch played like a sage whereas sometimes it was a minefield. Consequently, Australia came with a collective team effort to square the series.

Their openers laid down a solid foundation when they added 112 runs for the opening stand on the first day of the match. Subsequently, their middle order also came up with valuable contributions.

Usman Khawaja played a patient knock in the second innings to help his team to strengthen their lead and take the game away from the visitors. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli was once again superb as he scored a majestic hundred in the first innings.

On the other hand, all the Australian bowlers contributed to the team’s cause as they shared the wickets among themselves. Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon scalped three wickets in the second dig whereas Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood took two wickets each.

Both teams will now move on to the Boxing Day Test match which will take place in Melbourne.

Brief Scores: Australia 1st innings: 326, Marcus Harris 70, Ishant Sharma 4-41.

India: 283, Virat Kohli: 123, Nathan Lyon: 5067.

Australia 2nd Innings: 243, Usman Khawaja: 72, Mohammed Shami: 6-56.

India: 140, Ajinkya Rahane 30, Nathan Lyon: 3-39.