India have been producing world-class cricketers over the years especially in ODI cricket. But there were times where the batsmen were put under pressure and there was a need from the lower order to fire in order to complete an improbable chase or set a huge total. On a few occasions, the lower-order has responded brilliantly to the pressure put on them and have bailed India out of trouble. Here is a look at some of the highest partnerships for India for the sixth wicket in ODis.
1. Ambati Rayudu and Stuart Binny – 160
India played Zimbabwe in the first ODI in 2015 and had sent a relatively younger team under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane. India were in deep trouble after losing 5 wickets for just 87 runs. This is when Ambati Rayudu was joined by Stuart Binny at the crease and the duo began to consolidate India’s innings.
After getting their eye in, both of them began to play their shots and up the scoring rate. Stuart Binny scored a well-made 77 down the order while Ambati Rayudu remained unbeaten at the end on 124. Their partnership of 160 runs still remains the highest for the sixth wicket for India in ODIs.
2. MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh – 158
India were playing Zimbabwe in the sixth ODI at Harare in 2005 and were chasing 251 runs to win. However, they were in a spot of bother as they were struggling at 91-5 at one stage. This is when Yuvraj Singh was joined by MS Dhoni at the crease and the duo began to bring India’s innings back on track. Once they were settled, they began to play their shots and take India closer to the target.
Yuvraj played a brilliant knock of 120 off just 124 balls while MS Dhoni remained unbeaten on 67 off just 63 balls. Their partnership of 158 still remains the second-highest for India for the sixth wicket in ODIs. They went on to make a great partnership for India in ODIs over the years and were highly successful together.
3. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja – 150*
This brilliant partnership happened recently in the third ODI between India and Australia at Canberra. India batted first and although Virat Kohli scored a patient 63, they were in a spot of bother at 152-5. This is when Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja got together and tried to stabilize the Indian innings.
Once they got into the 40th over, they began to up the ante and take on the bowlers. Boundaries started flowing from both ends as the duo began to target the likes of Sean Abbott who was extremely expensive.
Hardik scored 92 runs off 76 balls and Jadeja too remained unbeaten on 66 off 50 balls. Their partnership of 150 runs remains the third-highest in ODIs for the sixth wicket for India.
4. Yusuf Pathan and Saurabh Tiwary – 133*
It was the fourth ODI between New Zealand and India in 2010 and New Zealand had posted a mammoth total of 315-7, thanks to a brilliant 98* from James Franklin down the order and consistent contributions from everyone else. Chasing 316 to win, India were in a tricky position at 188-5. This is when Yusuf Pathan was joined by Saurabh Tiwary in the middle and the duo began to take the game deeper.
Pathan batted in his natural manner, smashing the New Zealand bowlers and that was the need of the hour since the total was a humongous one. Saurabh Tiwary was playing the perfect foil for him and kept on giving him the strike.
Pathan played a brilliant knock of 123 runs off just 96 balls and Tiwary made a well-made 37 as India chased down the huge target comfortably. Their partnership of 133 runs remains the fourth highest partnership for India in ODIs for the sixth wicket.
