Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul scripted history on Day 3 of the Perth Test. Jaiswal and Rahul became the first Indian opening pair to share a 200-run partnership on Australian soil. They broke former Indian openers Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth's record. Gavaskar and Srikkanth shared a 191-run opening partnership against Allan Border-led Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in 1986.
The 201-run opening partnership is India's second-highest opening parternship against Australia in the format. In 2013, Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay shared a 289-run partnership against Michael Clarke-led Australia in Mohali.
It is also the highest opening partnership by a non-England visiting team. For England, Jack Hobbs and Wilfred Rhodes hold the record with a 323-run opening partnership in Melbourne in 1912.
This is India's third-highest opening stands in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries. Gavaskar and Chetan Chauhan shared a 213-run partnership against England at The Oval in 1979. Vijay Merchant and Mushtaq Ali shared a 203-run partnership against England in Manchester in 1936.
Jaiswal and Rahul shared a 201-run partnership from 63 overs. The partnership was broken by Mitchell Starc in the first session of Day 3. Rahul departed after scoring 77 runs from 176 balls. He edged one to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Rahul's knock included five fours. This was his second fifty-plus score on Australian soil.
Jaiswal's multiple feats
Meanwhile, Jaiswal reached his first century on Australian soil. He crossed the 100-run mark with a six off Josh Hazlewood. The 22-year-old became the third Indian batter to score a century in maiden appearance in Australia. He is fifth-youngest Indian opener to register a Test century in Australia. This is his fourth Test century and third in the calendar year. He became the fifth Indian batter to score three or more Test centuries in a calendar year before turning 23. In addition, he is the second batter after Virat Kohli to score a Test century at The Optus Stadium.
