November 23, 2024: Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul’s stunning 172-run opening partnership on Day 2 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth has etched their names into cricketing history.
Their collaboration not only put India in a dominant position but also brought them into an exclusive club of visiting batsmen to have posted a 150-plus opening stand in Australia. This partnership was the first of its kind since the English duo of Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook put together 159 runs at the MCG back in 2010.
More remarkably, it was the first 150-plus opening stand in Australia outside the Ashes since the iconic partnership between Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth at the SCG in 1986.
The Indian openers displayed incredible poise and adaptability, especially as the pitch began to turn more favorable for the batters after the first session. They capitalized on the conditions, with Jaiswal in particular showing excellent footwork and strokeplay as he approached a well-deserved century (90* off 193 balls), while Rahul remained solid at the other end with 62* off 153 balls. Their combined effort provided a steady foundation for India, propelling them to a commanding 172/0 at stumps, and a significant 218-run lead over Australia.
The Indian openers’ performance was particularly significant in the context of India’s recent history in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) Tests. Their 172-run stand was the highest opening partnership for India in Australia since Virender Sehwag and Aakash Chopra’s gritty 123-run stand at the SCG in 2004. The last Indian pair to bat through two consecutive sessions in a SENA Test was Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli during the 2018 MCG Test.
This partnership marks a breakthrough moment for both players, showcasing Jaiswal’s burgeoning talent and Rahul’s resilience as a top-order batsman in Test cricket. The Australians, who had folded for just 104 before lunch, were left helpless as Jaiswal and Rahul’s relentless approach to batting systematically wore down their attack. It was a display of patience, tactical awareness, and technical excellence that put India in a commanding position going into Day 3 of the match.
