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

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.

Virat Kohli celebrates his ton.Credit: Getty Images

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.

India celebrate the wicket of Pat Cummins.Credit: Getty Images

Oh no. Second ball of the last over of the day and Marnus Labuschagne gets it horribly wrong, and Bumrah has him lbw. It’s reviewed, but on first glance, there’s not much to review. Marnus didn’t offer a shot, and as ball tracking shows, it was always hitting the stumps. That’s his innings done. He’s gone for 3, and stumps has been called.

Australia is 3-12, needing 522 more runs to win. Not going to happen. Tomorrow will be a procession.

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.

It looks like he doesn’t want to be left out of any milestone chasing. He’s galloping towards 50 after doing what Kohli did to Labuschagne - single, six, two, single. Eleven off the over in total.

India 6-478 (Kohli 94*, Nitish Kumar 36*), lead by 525 runs