Australia struggle to 12/3 at stumps on Day 3

Perth, Nov 24: India gained a firm grip over the opening Test by reducing Australia to 12 for three at stumps on Day 3 after setting the hosts an imposing 534-run target, shaped by Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s contrasting centuries, here Sunday.Marnus Labuschagne (3) was dismissed in the last ball of the day as Usman Khawaja was left stranded at the other end at the draw of stumps with the hosts still trailing by 522 runs.Skipper Jasprit Bumrah removed Nathan McSweeney (0) and Labuschagne, while Mohammed Siraj dismissed night watchman Pat Cummins (2) to cap off a dominant day for the visitors.Earlier, resuming their second innings at 172 for no loss, India declared at 487 for six.Kohli returned to form with a scintillating unbeaten 100 off 143 balls, featuring eight boundaries and two sixes.Kohli forged crucial partnerships, adding 89 runs for the sixth wicket with Washington Sundar (29) and an unbroken 77 off 54 balls with Nitesh Reddy (38 not out) to bat Australia out of contention.