After an impressive partnership of 139 runs in the first innings of the ongoing match, Rohit and Jaiswal added a quickfire 98 runs in the second innings.
When combined with their opening partnership of 229 runs in the first Test, they amassed a total of 466 runs, setting a new record for an Indian starting pair in a two-match Test series.
The overall highest opening partnership aggregate in a two-match Test series is held by Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie, who partnered for 479 runs during their two-Test series against Bangladesh in 2008. In one of their partnerships during that series, they stitched a colossal 415-run opening stand, which still stands as a Test world record.
For India, the highest opening partnership aggregate in a series (of more than two Tests) is held by Sunil Gavaskar and Chetan Chauhan, who added a total of 537 runs against Australia in 1979-80. Following closely behind is the pairing of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, who accumulated 477 runs against Pakistan in 2005.
In India’s second innings on Sunday, Rohit and Jaiswal showcased their attacking prowess, batting at a remarkable run-rate of 8.28, which is now the second-highest by an opening pair in a partnership that lasted for at least 50 runs.
The highest run-rate by an opening duo in a partnership of at least fifty runs is held by England’s Marcus Trescothick and Michael Vaughan, who batted with a run rate of 10 against Sri Lanka in 2002.
India declared their second innings at 181/2, with Ishan Kishan (52*) and Shubman Gill (29*) remaining not out, after Rohit Sharma (57) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (38) once again set the platform with a 98-run stand. It gave West Indies a target of 365 to win, and they were 76/2 at stumps on day four.
India’s quick scoring rate ensured that they broke the 22-year-old record for the fastest team hundred in Test cricket, which until Sunday was in the name of Sri Lanka.
India reached the 100-run mark in 12.2 overs (74 balls) to break the record. During the Asian Test Championship in 2001, the Lankans reached 100 in 13.2 overs (80 balls) against Bangladesh.
Earlier in the match, in reply to India’s first innings total of 438, WI were bowled for 255.
(With agency inputs)
