Yashasvi Jaiswal continues his rich vein of form. After flattering in the first innings of the IND vs AUS 1st Test in Perth, he made a sensational comeback to slam his maiden ton in Down Under. Coupled with a brilliant knock with KL Rahul, the Indian openers went on to amass an opening stand of 200 runs. And with that, this is India’s highest Test opening stand against Australia.
The previous highest opening stand was 191. Sunil Gavaskar and Krishnamachari Srikanth raked up in 1986 in Sydney. While Yashasvi Jaiswal slammed a century, KL Rahul fell after a valiant knock of 77 runs.
India has won against Australia be it at home or away. But have never gone past a 200-run partnership for the opening wicket. The highest was 191 back in 1986 in Sydney. But that record has been done and dusted today.
Highest India men’s Test opening partnerships in Australia
Players | Runs | Innings | Venue | Year |
KL Rahul * Yashasvi Jaiswal | 201 | 2 | Perth | 2024 |
Sunil Gavaskar & Kris Srikkanth | 191 | 1 | Sydney | 1986 |
Cheetan Chauhan & Sunil Gavaskar | 165 | 2 | Melbourne | 1981 |
Aakash Chopra & Virender Sehwag | 146 | 2 | Melbourne | 2003 |
Rohit Sharma & Shubman Gill | 141 | 2 | Sydney | 2021 |
Syed Abid Ali & Farokh Engineer | 139 | 2 | Sydney | 1968 |
Vinoo Mankad & Chandu Sarwate | 134 | 2 | Melbourne | 1948 |
Aakash Chopra & Virender Sehwag | 134 | 2 | Sydney | 2004 |
Aakash Chopra & Virender Sehwag | 114 | 2 | Adelaide | 2003 |
Navjot Sidhu & Kris Srikkanth | 107 | 2 | Perth | 1992 |
KL-Jaiswal prove too hot in Down Under
After struggling in the 1st innings, India came back strongly. The visitors were bowled out for 150 in their first innings. But Jasprit Bumrah and his bowling department hit back hard to bundle out the Aussies for a mere score of 104 runs, thereby enjoying a healthy lead of 46 runs.
But come the second innings, it was entirely India on the front foot. Both Jaiswal and KL Rahul started slowly before picking up the pace. The duo continued to punish the Australian bowlers all across the park as India looks well-poised to inflict more pain on the hosts.
Day 3 saw Yashasvi quickly reaching his century and reaching the 200-run mark to set a fresh record. But shortly after that KL Rahul was dismissed by Mitchell Starc for a gritty innings of 77 runs.