Test cricket in Australia has often tested the resilience of Indian batters, especially against a fiery pace attack. The ongoing match at Perth is no exception, but Indian openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal have showed composure and skill, setting a strong platform for their team.
Bet here on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series and other cricket matches!
After being bowled out for just 150 runs in the first innings, India in response, bundled out the Aussies for 104, courtesy of a five-wicket haul from Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah.
As the Indian openers provide the visitors with a strong start, The Sporting News delves into the highest opening partnerships for India in Tests in Australia.
The ongoing partnership between Rahul and Jaiswal in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 match at Perth is the highest by Indian openers in Tests Down Under, in the last 20 years.
India’s history in Test cricket features several remarkable opening stands in Australia. Here is a list of the top partnerships:
| Partners | Runs | Opposition | Ground | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunil Gavaskar, Kris Srikkanth | 191 | v Australia | Sydney | 1986 |
| Yashavi Jaiswal, KL Rahul | 172* | v Australia | Perth | 2024 |
| Chetan Chauhan, Sunil Gavaskar | 165 | v Australia | Melbourne | 1981 |
| Akash Chopra, Virender Sehwag | 141 | v Australia | Melbourne | 2003 |
| Vinoo Mankad, Chandu Sarwate | 124 | v Australia | Melbourne | 1948 |
| Akash Chopra, Virender Sehwag | 123 | v Australia | Sydney | 2004 |
| Chetan Chauhan, Sunil Gavaskar | 97 | v Australia | Sydney | 1978 |
| Sunil Gavaskar, Kris Srikkanth | 95 | v Australia | Adelaide | 1985 |
| Syed Abid Ali, Farookh Engineer | 83 | v Australia | Sydney | 1968 |
| Navjot Sidhu, Kris Srikkanth | 82 | v Australia | Perth | 1992 |
*at the time of writing
KL Rahul (62*) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (90*) steadied India’s innings after Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul restricted Australia to 104 in their first innings. The openers built an unbroken century partnership of 172 runs at the end of Day 2, extending India’s lead to 218 runs.
Rahul’s calm technique and Jaiswal’s adaptability were the highlights of their stand. While Rahul’s on-drive against Pat Cummins was a contender for the shot of the match, Jaiswal impressed by curbing his natural attacking instincts early on.
He displayed patience against short-pitched deliveries and later capitalized on scoring opportunities with drives and pull shots. One standout moment came when Jaiswal hit Mitchell Starc for a boundary over midwicket and cheekily remarked, “You are slow.”
More: Cricket Australia to honour late Phillip Hughes on 10th death anniversary during 2nd BGT Test in Adelaide against India
Rahul, on the other hand, avoided the errors that have previously troubled him. His late trigger movement and loose bottom-hand grip allowed him to handle deliveries effectively.
India had a strong start to the Day 2, with Bumrah taking his 11th five-wicket haul. Debutant Harshit Rana supported him well, dismissing Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc with fiery short-pitched bowling. Despite Australia’s last-wicket partnership adding 25 runs, India kept the lead under control.
BET NOW: Bet here on the IND vs AUS Test series and win cash bonuses
