As it happened: Jaiswal, Kohli centuries set up India for commanding victory

A superstar is born. The future of Indian cricket was there for all to see in the middle of Perth Stadium on Sunday morning as 22-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal brought up a memorable maiden Test century on Australian soil to frustrate the home side’s bowlers even further.

With India already ramming home an advantage in the all-important first Test, Jaiswal added the extra 10 runs required to celebrate his fourth Test hundred from 28 innings since his debut in July last year. It was some turnaround from the duck he made on day one.

With a stunning ramp shot behind the wicket that went for six – somehow more towards fine leg than third man where it was intended – Jaiswal dropped his bat and helmet on the ground, then kissed his gloves before raising them in the air in a celebration for the ages.

After sledging Mitchell Starc for bowling too slow on Saturday – “It’s coming too slow” – Jaiswal went to lunch unbeaten on 141, with India cruising at 1-275 and boasting a 321-run lead.

Even Sachin Tendulkar didn’t make a century in Australia until the third match he played in the 1991-92 series.

It was another forgettable session for Australia, who could only manage the wicket of KL Rahul six overs into the day, caught behind by Alex Carey off Mitchell Starc for 77.

Jaiswal and Rahul’s 201-run partnership was the highest by an Indian opening pair against Australia in Australia and sixth best of opening duos from all countries on these shores.

Pat Cummins (0-56 off 17), Josh Hazlewood (0-23 off 16) and Nathan Lyon (0-41 off 19) have all gone wicketless across 84 overs of India’s second innings on a pitch that looks great to bat on.

That’s where we’ll leave our live coverage of the first Test in Perth.

The familiar warm embrace of defeat awaits Australia tomorrow - it’s just a matter of timing.

Dan Walsh will be back here to carry you through day four.

In the meantime, stay tuned for Tom Decent’s match report, and more brilliant analysis from him and Dan Brettig over the coming days.

Take it easy.

Among many consequences of Australia’s slide towards a massive defeat in the first Test against India, one of the most seismic may well be that they have allowed Virat Kohli a way into the series.

Coming into bat with his side already 321 runs ahead, albeit against the second new ball, Kohli was handed a gilt-edged opportunity to find his feet on Australian soil against a flagging attack on Sunday, when Perth temperatures neared 37 degrees Celsius.

A few hours later, Kohli swept a Marnus Labuschagne leg break to the boundary to raise his 30th Test century, seventh in Australia and first of 2024. As Travis Head sprawled along the boundary to try to save four, Kohli did not immediately realise he had got there. After a few moments, though, he broke out into a broad grin as he saluted the crowd.

Read Dan Brettig’s full analysis of day three here.

That couldn’t possibly have gone worse for Australia.

To say they’re on the ropes is underselling it. They’ve already been knocked out. Barring some unprecedented form of cricketing miracle, India will rock up tomorrow and probably have the win officially in the bag before lunch.

What an incredible day for India. The highlight was, of course, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s mammoth 161, a statement innings from the young gun who has already won over Australian audiences. Best supporting actor was Virat Kohli, who made a different kind of statement with his unbeaten 100. They were the backbone of India’s second innings haul of 6d-487, and there’s just no universe in which this ends any other way than an emphatic win to the tourists.

Well, so much for that. Pat Cummins is out! Siraj got his edge, caught by Virat Kohli at second slip. Easy money.

Australia is now 2-9, chasing 534.

There’s about 10 minutes of play left today. That might not be the last wicket we see.

There’ll be no second nightwatchman - Marnus Labuschagne, the usual No.3, is out there now, taking guard. How long can he last?

Ball four of over one of Australia’s second innings… oh dear.

Nathan McSweeney trapped lbw by Jasper Bumrah, that’s as clear-cut as it gets. Not a memorable debut for the youngster on any level.

Australia is 1-0 chasing 534.

Not ideal… and wow! Pat Cummins sends himself out there as the nightwatchman! A big call by the captain. That’s leadership.

There it is!

He had to wait a little longer than he wanted but a big sweep off Marnus Labuschagne has delivered the century Virat Kohli desperately wanted. And hilariously, it seemed like he was the last bloke in Perth to realise he’d reached 100! What on earth was going on there, Virat?

A huge statement by Kohli - and now, the declaration! That’s what they were waiting for, a confidence-boosting hundred from their legendary batter, and that’s what they’ve got.

Kohli finishes unbeaten on 100. Nitish Kumar unbeaten on 38.

India declares at 6-487 - and now Australia must score 534 to win.

No biggie.