Aussies staring at embarrassing loss after Kohli ton

Australia are crashing towards one of their most humbling home Test defeats after being destroyed by India's hungry and resurgent batters in Perth. On a disastrous day for Australia, the hosts went to stumps on Sunday in utter disarray at 3-12 after losing debutant opener Nathan McSweeney for a duck early in their record run chase of 534. Captain Pat Cummins, who normally bats at No.8, promoted himself to nightwatchman after India star Jasprit Bumrah (2-1) removed McSweeney in a bid to shield the out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne. But Cummins (two) lasted just eight balls, bringing Labuschagne to the crease in any case for nine tense minutes before the close of day three. Labuschagne, who made just two in the first innings, was then trapped lbw for three by Bumrah to end a nightmare day for Australia. India's hungry batters feasted on Australia in searing Perth heat to declare their second innings on 6-487 only 30 minutes before stumps. Young superstar Yashasvi Jaiswal's brilliant 161 and Virat Kohli's back-to-form unbeaten 100 powered India to an iron grip on a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. India were in full control when Kohli entered at 2-275, giving the veteran superstar a golden opportunity to find the red-ball form that had deserted him for much of the last five years. He grabbed that chance by crafting his 30th Test century, and first since July, 2023. Kohli had rediscovered his mojo when India were considering a late declaration, deciding to ramp up his aggression to reach three figures so Australia could bat before stumps. The 36-year-old brought up just his third Test century since 2020 by sweeping part-timer Labuschagne to the boundary. It was his seventh Test century in Australia. At one stage, Kohli smashed a cut shot for six, with the ball ricocheting off the boundary rope to hit an unsuspecting security guard in the head. The guard was assessed by medical staff and taken from the field. Australia will fall to their first red-ball defeat at Optus Stadium, unless they pull off the highest successful run chase in Test history, or somehow hang on for a draw. But with the pitch becoming harder to bat on, they have no realistic hope of achieving either option. As temperatures soared to 36C, India made Australia bake in the field for 135 overs across more than a day and a half. After being dismissed for a duck in the first innings in his first Test on Australian soil, Jaiswal solidified his status as one of world cricket's rising superstars with an unforgettable knock. Resuming on 90, the 22-year-old quickly reached his fourth Test century when he ramped Josh Hazlewood over fine leg for six, triumphantly raising his hands. Jaiswal and Rahul (77), who was only recalled to the India team due to captain Rohit Sharma's parental leave, put on a 201-run stand - the highest opening partnership by an Indian pair in Australia, eclipsing the 191 of Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth in Sydney in 1986. Despite two Test centuries in India and another away to the struggling West Indies, doubts had lingered over how Jaiswal would perform in Australian conditions. But he excelled on a pace-friendly Perth pitch that had admittedly become easier for batting than when 17 wickets tumbled on a chaotic opening day. "All the centuries are amazing, but this will be special," Jaiswal said. "I worked so hard for it in every practice session. "I wanted to score runs here in Australia, so I really enjoyed it." With Australia heading towards just their second overall loss in Perth against India - and first since 2008 at the WACA Ground - Cummins' team would have to defy history. The last time Australia recovered from a 1-0 deficit to win a series was in the 1997 Ashes in England. Australia last won a Border-Gavaskar series in 2014/15, with India holding the trophy since 2017. In their first innings, the Aussies made their lowest home total - 104 - against India since 1981, replying to the tourists' 150. While not in danger of eclipsing the record 675-run defeat to England in 1928, Australia may still claim their second-worst home loss. At present, that title is held by the 408-run belting by the West Indies in Adelaide in 1980. Star quick Josh Hazlewood admitted Sunday was one of the hardest days of his Test career. "It probably speaks for itself because they piled on the runs and had a couple of really big partnerships there," he said. "It was hard work out there bowling at certain stages."