"Keep going tomorrow" - Fans and experts react to Yashasvi Jaiswal-KL Rahul's stunning opening stand on Day 2 of 1st BGT 2024-25 Test
Team India openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul shone with the bat on Day 2 (Saturday, November 23) of the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test against Australia in Perth. The visitors went to bat in the second innings with a crucial 46-run lead after bundling out Australia for a paltry score of 104.
Jaiswal and Rahul showcased tremendous composure, stitching together a phenomenal partnership to put their side in a commanding position. The two batters formed an unbeaten 172-run stand for the opening wicket.
It is worth mentioning that this is the first time since 2004 that the Indian openers put up a century stand in Australia in Tests. The last time India's opening batters achieved the feat was in Sydney in 2004 when Virender Sehwag and Aakash Chopra formed a 123-run partnership.
India are yet to lose a single wicket in the second innings as Jaiswal and Rahul remained unbeaten on 90 and 62, respectively. The two batters earned widespread praise on social media from experts and fans for their batting exploits.
Here are some of the top reactions:
Many cricket experts also took to social media, lauding Jaiswal and Rahul. Former England captain Michael Vaughan seemed mighty impressed by the disciplined defence of the two Indian openers.
He wrote on X:
"Loving this partnership between @ybj_19 & @klrahul.. So much skill on show .. but the most impressive is the discipline in defence .. it’s exactly the way to Bat in Oz against this quality .."
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan suggested that the Yashasvi Jaiswal-KL Rahul stand was the best an opening partnership could get in Australian conditions, writing:
"This is as solid an opening partnership as you’ll see on Australian soil. Jaiswal played some truly mind-blowing shots!"
Wasim Jaffer, an ex-opening batter himself, hailed India's opening partnership as 'phenomenal'. He commented:
"Phenomenal partnership between @ybj_19 and @klrahul . Perfect example of driving home the advantage. Well played and keep going tomorrow."
India finished 172/0 at stumps on Day 2, leading Australia by 218 runs. They have a significant chance of setting a daunting target and spoiling Australia's 100 percent winning record in Tests at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
"Yashasvi Jaiswal has actually flowered in his company" - Sunil Gavaskar on India's opening combination in 1st BGT 2024-25 Test
India's batting legend Sunil Gavaskar believes that sharing the crease with KL Rahul has benefited Yashasvi Jaiswal. He opined that Rahul's solid approach has allowed the youngster to play his shots freely.
Gavaskar was quoted as saying by India Today:
"I think what he's done is he's eased up the pressure on Yashasvi Jaiswal. When you have a partner at the other end, who is looking so secure like Rahul is doing, then the other partner who's probably got more strokes, who is a little more adventurous can play his shots, and that's what happened. So, Yashasvi Jaiswal has actually flowered in his company."
Rahul was not India's first-choice opening batter for the BGT 2024-25 series. He got a chance to open in the first Test after skipper Rohit Sharma was unavailable for selection as he stayed back in India for the birth of his second child.