Highest opening partnership for India outside Asia

India’s resounding win against West Indies in the first Test was orchestrated by the opening duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma raising a brilliant partnership. In the process, the pair etched their names in history, having recorded the highest partnership for the first wicket outside Asia. Notably, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag combined to raise 410 runs against Pakistan in 2006 in Lahore, making it the highest partnership overall. In this piece, we take a look at the top three highest opening partnerships for India outside Asia-

3. Vijay Merchant, Mushtaq Ali | 203 runs | Manchester

Facing England in Manchester in 1936, the home side got 571 runs before declaring in response to India’s 203 in the first innings. However, it was Vijay Merchant and Mushtaq Ali’s stunning partnership that helped India get back on level terms and draw the match. The opening pair combined to score 203 runs with Vijay getting 114 runs featuring 13 boundaries while Mushtaq Ali scored 112 runs which included 17 fours.

2. Chetan Chauhan, Sunil Gavaskar | 213 runs | The Oval

India great Sunil Gavaskar stitched a 213-run stand for the first wicket with Chetan Chauhan during the fourth Test against England at The Oval in London in 1979. While chasing a humongous 438 runs, Gavaskar led the attack from the front and did bulk of the scoring as he collected 221 runs off 443 balls which included 21 fours. On the other hand, Chetan remained steady and carved out a delicate 263-ball 80 that featured seven fours. Their 213-run stand became the then-highest partnership for the opening wicket. With this, team India drew with England.

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma | 229 runs | Roseau

India comfortably beat West Indies in the first Test by an innings and 141 runs all thanks to a stellar performance by debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Rohit Sharma. After Windies’ first innings score of 150 runs, India’s opening pair of Jaiswal and Rohit compiled impressive knocks and raised a magnificent partnership as they got 229 runs for the first wicket. On his debut, Jaiswal scored 171 off 387 balls, including 16 fours and one six whereas skipper Rohit notched 103 off 221 balls, scoring two sixes and 10 fours.