Partnerships play a crucial role in a sport like cricket. A significant stand between two batting partners not only frustrates the opposition bowlers but makes it difficult for them as a side to make a comeback in the fixture. Thus said, the feat is not easy to achieve for it requires a mutual understanding between the two partners, who respond to each other’s call in the blink of an eye. We have seen many such partnerships in the world’s most-followed and lucrative league, the IPL, which gave the opposition team a run for their money. A few of them will be considered in the present article. In the below piece, we look at 5 highest partnerships in the history of the IPL:
1. 229 runs stand between Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers
This feat was achieved during the 44th game between RCB and GL at Bengaluru in IPL 2016. Having lost Gayle at a team score of 19 in 3.5 overs, the dynamic duo of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers stitched the highest partnership of 229 runs for the 2nd wicket, helping RCB reach 248-3 at the end of 20 overs.
Both the batsmen smashed centuries with their final scores reading – 109(55) for Kohli and 129(52) for de Villiers. In reply, the Gujarat Lions were dismissed for 104 in 18.4 overs, where Jordan picked 4-11 and Chahal, 3-19 assisting RCB in winning the contest by 144 runs.
2. 215 runs stand between Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers
Yet again the duo feature in the list but for a partnership conjured against MI during the 46th game at Mumbai in IPL 2015. Losing Gayle at a team score of 20 in 3.1 overs, Kohli and de Villiers stitched the second-highest partnership of 215 runs for the 2nd wicket, propelling RCB to 235-1 at the end of 20 overs.
This time only de Villiers notched up a century, scoring 133(59) while Kohli managed a knock of 82(50). MI did put up a fight, scoring 196-7, courtesy innings of 68(53) by Simmons and 49(24) by Pollard, falling short of the target by 39 runs. Harshal Patel was the pick of the bowler for RCB with 2-36.
3. 206 runs stand between Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh
It was produced during the 63rd game between PK and RCB at Dharamsala in IPL 2011. After losing Valthaty at a team score of 25 in 3.5 overs, the 2 Australians, Gilchrist and Marsh raised a stand of 206 runs for the 2nd wicket, rocketing PK to 232-2 at the end of 20 overs.
Gilchrist hammered a wonderful century in the process, scoring 106(55) while Marsh struck a valiant innings of 79(49). In response, RCB were bundled out for 121 in 17 overs, losing the contest emphatically by 111 runs. Leg-spinner Chawla was the most impressive among the Punjab bowlers, picking up 4-17.
4. 204 runs stand between Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle
It came during the 67th game between RCB and DD at Delhi in IPL 2012. Having lost Dilshan at a score of 11 in 2.2 overs, Gayle and Kohli joined hands to chronicle the fourth highest partnership of 204 runs for the 2nd wicket. In the process, they helped RCB reach 215-1 at the end of 20 overs, where Gayle smashed 128(62) while Kohli scored 73(53).
The Delhi side gave it their all to reach 194-9 in the allotted quota of overs and lost the contest by just 21 runs. New Zealand international, Taylor struck 55(26) becoming the top-scorer for DD while Zaheer Khan and Parameswaran picked 3 wickets each for RCB.
5. 189 runs stand between David Warner and Naman Ojha
It came during the 55th game between DD and DC at Hyderabad in IPL 2012. Batting first, the Deccan Chargers posted a commanding total of 187-4 in their 20 overs, courtesy innings of 84(49) by Dhawan and 65(40) by White. Aaron picked 2-30 for the Delhi side.
In reply, DD chased it down by 9 wickets and 20 balls to spare, owing to wonderful knocks of 109(54) by Warner and 64(46) by Ojha. The duo stitched the fifth-highest partnership of 189 runs for the 2nd wicket in the process and made a light work of the opposition bowling attack.
