On Day 2 of the Perth Test, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul became India’s first opening pair since 2004 to record a century stand in Test cricket on Australian soil. Since Virender Sehwag and Akash Chopra’s 123-run stand in Sydney during the 2004 series, Rahul-Jaiswal’s superb century partnership in India’s second innings is the first such achievement.
This was Jaiswal’s second only test overseas, when he showed remarkable quality Cricket in the second day of the Perth Test. He also sledged to notorious Mitchell Starc by his cheeky comment “You are too slow for me,” drew both laughter and admiration. His play combined caution as well as aggression.
At the other end, Rahul anchored the innings with a controlled, technical, precision and maturity. The partnership still has a chance to surpass the highest-ever first-wicket partnership by India in Australia—191 runs by Sunil Gavaskar and Krishnamachari Srikkanth in Sydney in 1986. If Jaiswal and Rahul continue their form on Day 3, they could rewrite the record books.