Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul etched their names in the record books with a phenomenal 201-run opening partnership in India’s second innings of the ongoing Test against Australia at Perth. Their stand now ranks as the third-highest opening partnership for India in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries.
Highest opening stands for India in SENA countries:
- 213 – Sunil Gavaskar & Chetan Chauhan vs ENG, The Oval, 1979
- 203 – Vijay Merchant & Mushtaq Ali vs ENG, Manchester, 1936
- 201 – Yashasvi Jaiswal & KL Rahul vs AUS, Perth (Optus), 2024
- 191 – Sunil Gavaskar & Kris Srikkanth vs AUS, Sydney, 1986
- 165 – Sunil Gavaskar & Chetan Chauhan vs AUS, Melbourne, 1981
A Record-Breaking Stand
Jaiswal’s remarkable 110* off 216 balls, coupled with Rahul’s solid 77 off 176 deliveries, laid a strong foundation for India to command a lead of 259 runs by lunch on Day 3. This opening stand demonstrated both players’ adaptability and resolve on a pitch that initially troubled the Indian lineup in the first innings.
Jaiswal, who had earlier scored a duck in the first innings, redeemed himself with a composed century. His innings was punctuated by nine boundaries and three sixes, including the six that brought up his milestone. Meanwhile, Rahul, stepping up in Rohit Sharma’s absence, played a vital supporting role, combining patience with flair to register his second fifty of the match.
Match Context
India, after gaining a 46-run first-innings lead courtesy of Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul, further strengthened their grip on the match with this opening stand. Despite losing Rahul to Mitchell Starc at the score of 201, India remains firmly in control, with Jaiswal and debutant Devdutt Padikkal steering the innings forward.