5 Last Century Opening Partnerships outside Asia for India

#3 Jaffer-Karthik 153 v South Africa, 2007

Dinesh Karthik tasted immediate success in a new role

Having won the first Test, and lost the second, India headed into the third and the deciding Test without MS Dhoni. In his stead, they brought in Dinesh Karthik, who hadn't played a Test Match in 15 months, and asked him to open in place of a struggling Sehwag, on the first morning of the Test. Each of Karthik's previous 13 Test innings had come at number 7.

The two, especially young DK, started off slowly, building a solid foundation. His first boundary, a straight drive off Kallis, came in the 16th over but did nothing to change his momentum, as he carried on and on. India went to lunch without the loss of a wicket, and then went to tea without a loss of a wicket!

DK's marathon four-hour stay only came to an end off the first ball post-tea, courtesy a dubious decision by the umpire. He had 63 from 170 by then, and India had 153. Jaffer went on to compile a memorable hundred, but a second innings collapse saw India concede the Test and the Series, despite having secured a handy first innings lead.