Perfect Perth day: Pace heroics, historic stand

{172-RUN PARTNERSHIP} AFTER BUMRAH TEARS THROUGH OZ LINE-UP

- Ashish Magotra

One is the next big thing. The other, a makeshift opener, is a struggling talent trying to re-establish himself in the Test team. But together, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul joined the league of India's opening legends with a partnership for the ages on Day 2 of the Perth Test against Australia.

The two put on an unbroken 172-run stand to cement India's dominant position in a match that could well set the tone for the five-Test tour. And they did it by carefully learning their lessons from the manic first ISH innings, in which the visitors were bundled out for 150, and putting them into practice quickly.

As a result, Australia already facing bruised bodies and broken egos after India's pace battery sent them packing for 104-are now on the mat with India effectively 218 ahead for no loss.

Australia has never been an easy country for openers, especially those from India. To understand how rare and incredible Saturday's achievement is, sample this: the last 100-run opening partnership for India in Australia came back in January 2004 when Virender Sehwag and Aakash Chopra put on 123 at Sydney.

Going all the way back to 1948, when India first toured Australia, there have been only six century opening stands for the visitors.