Top 3 highest opening partnerships in Test cricket

The fans and experts of cricket have always believed that Test cricket is the purest form of the sport, and one who prospers in this format is a true champion. Over the years, a lot of players have made a name for themselves by representing their nation in the longest format of the game.

While all the five days of a Test match are equally important, the manner in which a team kicks off the game has a major impact on the result. Usually, the teams dominating early in their innings gain the upper hand and this domination is generally a result of a fine start from the opening batsmen.

Undoubtedly, the importance of the partnership at the top of the order is of prime importance. On most occasions, if the openers fail, the opposition team gets the momentum but if the openers put up a commanding show at the top, the batting team houses the momentum.

This was on exhibition during the first two days of India's opening Test match against South Africa, as the newly formed opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal milked the South African bowlers on the opening two days as the duo put up a commanding 317-run partnership, before Rohit fell for a well-made 244-ball 176.

With this dominating show, the duo entered the list of the the highest opening partnerships in Test cricket. With the top opening partnerships in focus, here is a look back at the top 3 highest partnerships at the top of the order in Test cricket history.

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#3 Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid - 410 runs vs Pakistan, 2006

Dravid and Sehwag

Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid made matters difficult for the Pakistan bowlers in a Test match played at Lahore in the year 2006. This Test match featured one of the best opening partnerships in cricket history as Sehwag and Dravid notched up 410 runs, before Naved-ul-Hasan got the better of Sehwag.

Sehwag scored 254 runs off just 247 deliveries while Dravid supported him with an unbeaten knock of 128 runs. However, since this effort from the Indian openers came after Pakistan put up a massive score of 679 runs on the board, the Test match ended in a draw.

Also see – World Test Championship Schedule

#2 Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy - 413 runs vs New Zealand, Chennai

Vinoo Mankad is seen in action (Representative image)

The Indian opening pair of Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy held the record of the highest 1st wicket partnership in Test matches played in the 1950s. In fact, this duo owned this prestigious record for over 50 years before it was finally eclipsed many years later.

On a dust bowl in Chennai, India elected to bat first in that game against New Zealand as Mankad essayed a brilliant knock of 231 runs while his opening partner Roy backed him with a century of his own. Their huge opening stand helped India post a total of 537 runs for the loss of 3 wickets before skipper Polly Umrigar decided to declare the innings.

In reply, New Zealand could score only 209 runs in the first innings before being skittled out, courtesy of a five-wicket haul from Subhash Gupte. The home team enforced a follow-on which worked wonders as they bowled the visitors out for 219 runs to seal the Test match win by an innings and 109 runs.

#1 Neil McKenzie and Graeme Smith - 415 runs vs Bangladesh, 2008

Second Test - Bangladesh v South Africa: Day 4

The duo of Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy held the record for the highest opening partnership for a long time before South African openers Neil McKenzie and Graeme Smith breached the landmark with an opening stand of 415 runs against Bangladesh in the 2007-08 season.

The visiting side, on the back of a win in the first game, entered the game as the favourites to win the second game and clinch a series win. Captain Smith won the toss and opted to bat first on a flat track at Chattogram as McKenzie joined forces with him to crush the Bangladeshi bowlers.

On a surface that played out for quality stroke-making, the South African openers stuck to the basics and made their way to a massive 415-run partnership that lasted for 94.3 overs, before Smith was castled by Abdur Razzak for 232. McKenzie stayed at the middle until the next session before Shahadat Hossain prized his wicket out for 226 runs.

With their opening partnership of 415 runs, McKenzie and Smith laid a platform for a big win before Dale Steyn and co. completed the formalities soon as South Africa bulldozed a tired Bangladesh side by an innings and 205 runs to complete a whitewash.