Makeshift opener KL Rahul repaid the faith India have showed in him despite recent struggles, helping to put the touring side in the driving seat against Australia in the first test in Perth on Saturday.

It’s not likely to stick in memory, it might not even have been noticed in the first place, but the Indian takeaway from Perth on a sumptuous second day was served by KL Rahul. It was his carefully-curated walks half-way down the pitch to chat with his Yashasvi Jaiswal.

KL Rahul imposed his dominance in Test cricket following his flawless display against Australia, which saw him go level with the legendary opener Virender Shewag for an elusive Test feat for India. When the odds were stacked against Rahul amid his struggle for runs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series opener,

India ended Day 2 of their opening Test against Australia in Perth on top after Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul starred at the crease.

On-field umpire Richard Kettleborough ruled KL Rahul not out, but Australia got the decision overturned using DRS

Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul hit half-centuries as India finished the day in a dominating position. | Crickit

India dominated day two of the first Test against Australia at Perth. The Indian pacers restricted Australia to a low score. Jasprit Bumrah took a fifer. Debutant Harshit Rana impressed with three wickets.

KL Rahul scored a well-compiled half-century in the Perth Test against Australia. In the first innings, he scored 26 runs before Mitchell Starc dismissed him, but he made a 124-ball half-century in the second.