5 records/milestones made by Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul on Day 2 of 1st BGT 2024-25 Test
KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal led India's charge on Day 2 of the ongoing first Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test at Perth. After bowling Australia out for 104, the visitors gained a first-innings lead of 46 runs. It was then on the batters to build on the same and take advantage.
The Indian openers were absolutely committed to the task and helped India finish Day 2 in a strong position. Yashasvi Jaiswal, nearing a special hundred, remained unbeaten on 90 while KL Rahul scored a much-needed half-century, remaining unbeaten on 62.
As things stand at the end of Day 2, India are 172 for no loss, having gained a crucial 218-run lead heading into Day 3 of this Test match. The duo showed immense grit, determination, resilience, and patience out in the middle, helping the visitors take control.
They will be rearing to come back on Day 3 and pick up where they left off as India aims to strengthen their position in this game. During their brilliant unbeaten opening stand on the second day, the pair also achieved certain records/milestones.
5 records/milestones made by Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul on Day 2 of 1st BGT 2024-25 Test
#5 Most balls faced by an Indian opening pair in a Test match in Australia
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opened for India once again in the second innings and this time, the result was completely different as compared to the first innings. The duo batted out two entire sessions and put the visitors in a commanding position at the end of Day 2 at Perth.
Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 90, facing 193 deliveries while KL Rahul also remained unbeaten on 62, facing 153 deliveries. In their unbeaten 172-run stand, the pair faced 346 balls in total, which is the most faced by any Indian opening pair in a Test match Down Under.
Additionally, Jaiswal also hit a couple of sixes in his innings. The southpaw now has the most number of sixes (34) in a calendar year in Tests, going past Brendon McCullum (33 in 2014).
#4 Indians involved in most hundred-plus opening partnerships in SENA countries since 2000
KL Rahul, who had been facing criticism after a string of poor performances, got some much-needed runs under his belt, still remaining at the crease at the end of play. Rahul and Jaiswal stitched together an unbeaten 172-run stand.
In the process, KL Rahul equaled Virender Sehwag's record, being the only other Indian batter to be involved in three hundred-run plus opening partnerships in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries since 2000, which is the most as well.
Rahul was involved in a 117-run opening stand at the Centurion in 2021 with Mayank Agarwal and a 126-run opening stand with Rohit Sharma at Lord's the same year.
#3 First hundred-plus opening stand in Australia since 2004
Batting has always been challenging for Indians Down Under. For the first time in 20 long years, an Indian pair managed to score an opening partnership in excess of 100 runs.
The feat was last achieved by Virender Sehwag and Akash Chopra, who registered a 123-run stand in Sydney in 2004. Moreover, KL Rahul and Yasahasvi Jaiswal became only the sixth Indian pair to score a partnership in excess of 100 runs for the first wicket in Australia.
Sunil Gavaskar and K Srikkanth (191 at Sydney in 1986), CPS Chauhan and Gavaskar (165 at Melbourne in 1981), Akash Chopra and Virender Sehwag (141 at Melbourne in 2003 and 123 at Melbourne in 2004), MH Mankad and CT Sarwate (124 at Melbourne in 1948) are the other Indian pairs to have done so.
#2 Visiting opening pairs surviving more than 50 overs in a Test in Australia since 2000
KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal added 172 runs in an unbeaten opening stand. The duo batted out as many as 57 overs in the day, reaching another milestone. They became only the fourth visiting opening duo to survive more than 50 overs in Australia since 2000.
The first instance occurred in 2001 when Sherwin Campbell and Wavell Hinds batted 53.3 overs in Sydney. The English opening duo of Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook batted 51.1 overs in Melbourne in 2010 and 66.2 overs in Brisbane the same year.
That said, Rahul and Jaiswal have also played out the second most number of overs by a visiting opening pair in Australia since 200 after Strauss and Cook (66.2).
#1 First 150-plus opening stand by a visiting team in Australia since 2010
KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal's unbeaten 172-run stand is also the first 150-plus opening stand by a visiting team in Australia since 2010. The English opening duo of Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook recorded a 159-run partnership at the MCG in 2010.
Additionally, this is the first 150-plus opening partnership by a visiting team in Australia apart from the Ashes Tests (England vs Australia). Outside Ashes Tests, the last instance of an opening pair from a visiting team scoring a partnership of 150 or more came in Sydney in 1986 when Sunil Gavaskar and K Srikkanth added 191 runs up front.