Top 5 highest opening partnerships by India in Australia in test cricket

India have managed to register a century opening partnership in Australia only six times in test cricket.

Opening the batting in test cricket is often regarded as one of the toughest roles in this sport. The swing and seam movement of the new red ball makes run-scoring challenging for openers.

The challenge intensifies further in Australia, where the bouncy pitches assist the bowlers more. Despite these challenges, India’s cricketing history has seen some good batting performances Down Under. India have also registered some memorable opening partnerships in Australia against their formidable bowling attacks.

On that note, let’s look at top five highest opening partnerships by India in Australia in test cricket

Top five highest opening partnerships by India in Australia in test cricket:

5. Vinoo Mankad and Chandu Sarwate – 124 runs, 1948

India’s first 100-run opening partnership in Australia in test cricket came in 1948 at Melbourne. Replying to Australia’s mammoth first innings total of 394, Vinoo Mankad (116) and Chandu Sarwate (36) combined for a 124-run partnership for the first wicket.

Despite strong efforts from the Indian openers, the hosts won the test by 233 runs.

4. Aakash Chopra and Virender Sehwag – 141 runs, 2003

Aakash Chopra and Virender Sehwag registered an opening wicket stand of 141 runs in 2003 at Melbourne. Batting first in the Boxing Day test, the Delhi duo blunted Australia’s new ball attack.

Sehwag scored a stunning 195, while Chopra contributed 48 runs, helping India post 366 in the first innings. Despite their magnificent efforts, India lost the match by nine wickets.

3. Chetan Chauhan and Sunil Gavaskar – 165 runs, 1981

Trailing by 182 runs in the second innings of the 1981 test in Melbourne, Chetan Chauhan (85) and Sunil Gavaskar (70) formed a crucial 165-run opening stand to bring India back into the game. Their efforts helped India take a 143-run lead, setting the stage for a historic win.

India bowled out Australia for just 83 in their second innings and won by 59 runs. Gundappa Viswanath was named Player of the Match for his 144 runs in the game.

2. Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth – 191 runs, 1986

One of India’s greatest opening duo, Sunil Gavaskar (172) and Kris Srikkanth (116) put together a partnership of 191 runs in the 1986 Sydney test, guiding India to a massive score of 600/4 in the first innings.

The game ended in a thrilling fashion with Greg Ritchie securing a draw for Australia by playing a gritty knock of 17 runs off 157 balls on the last day.

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul – 201 runs, 2024

Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul created history in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 at Perth, combining for India’s first 100-run opening stand in Australia since 2003.

Jaiswal and Rahul’s 201-run stand in Perth is the highest opening partnership for India in Australia in test cricket.

Having a 46-run lead in the first innings, the Indian openers tired out the Australian bowling attack by batting for more than two sessions. Jaiswal notched up a century while Rahul was dismissed for 77 runs.

(All stats updated till 24th November, 2024)

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