IND vs AUS: Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahu run famed Aussie bowling attack ragged at the Optus in Perth

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IND vs AUS: What a turnaround in fortunes and what a comeback by Team India at the Optus in Perth in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy. Riled and ridiculed for the massive 0-3 loss to the Kiwis in a home Test series leading to outrage in social media as well as former cricketers turned experts slamming Rohit Sharma and company, this was divine.

One man will have to be given credit for all this, his captaincy, his bowling, and how he has transformed a bunch of losers into Bull Dogs snaping at the heels of the Aussies - Jasprit Bumrah.

The way the acting skipper of this Indian side, bowled and led from the front was inspiring. It has already drawn comparisons with more illustrious captains who toured Down Under as fast bowlers.

Brilliant Bumrah Beyond Comparisons

Bumrah needs no comparison. He is beyond compare. At the same time, if Bumrah was a stand-out, the way regular opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (90 batting) and makeshift opener KL Rahul (62 batting) grabbed the initiative was out of the world.

Bowled out for 150 on Day 1 and then featured in a 150-plus stand, unbeaten, this made for brilliant viewing. It was the same set of bowlers who were at work for Australia, it was the same drop-in pitch at the Optus.

Like a chameleon changing shades rapidly, this pitch eased out. Nah, that would be discrediting the efforts put in by Yashasvi, who eschewed aggression as Rahul guided him. The youthful exuberance of Jaiswal needed to be tempered. And on Saturday none could tamper with his batting as the Aussie pace attack looked jaded and haggard.

Tongues lolling out, lack of penetration, the inability to attack Jaiswal and Rahul with the same feisty relish, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitch Star and another four bowlers looked club class. This was the disintegration of the famed Aussie bowling attack, what with Cummins clueless, going for runs and the rest unable to grab a wicket.

People said Nathan Lyon would roar. No, he did not roar it was the Indian batters who came up with application and class, as they featured in a 172-run stand. India lead by 218 runs.

Some of the drives straight off the wicket which Rahul executed showed why he had been pushed as the opener for Rohit Sharma, out on Papa Duty. The big problem will be, when Rohit returns for the second Test, to fiddle with Rahul's batting position would be wrong. What transpires later can wait, though.

As for Yashasvi Jaiswal, as a natural stroke player, he had to make changes on Saturday. He was there in a different role, though not going to hesitate in swift running between the wickets. And yet, whatever sanguine hopes the Aussies had of getting these two Indians was frustrated by the right and left hand combination.

Towards the close of play, Jaiswal started pushing harder. He deserves a ton on Sunday. The Aussies were tired, which was strange. One explanation can be given for it, their batters got out early and to bowl second early meant they were not fresh or lacked energy.

However, if one talks of energy and application, this comeback by Team India in the BGT Series is already drawing comparisons with the previous tour in 2021. At that time, people talked of how Ajinkya Rahane led, how Cheteshwar Pujara batted dourly and how the bits and pieces cricketers blossomed.

This time, it has been Bumrah, Harshit Rana, whose three-wicket haul on debut has been good and how the openers have neutered the Aussie bowling attack. Yes, the greenish tinge on the turf also seemed to have changed. It appeared far from menacing.

Or, was it a green signal India could bat with freedom? Whichever way you look at it, without being poetic, Jaiswal and Rahul have simply shattered the confidence of the Aussies. This was a command performance and will be talked of for a long time.