The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most-watched cricket tournaments in the world, and it has seen some incredible partnerships between batsmen over the years. With 14 seasons completed and another on the way, there have been many memorable performances, but which ones stand out as the highest partnership in IPL history? In this article, we will explore the top partnerships in IPL, the players who achieved them, and the matches where they took place.
What is Partnership in Cricket?
Before diving into the highest partnerships in IPL, let’s first understand what partnership means in cricket. In a cricket match, when two batsmen are at the crease, they can score runs individually or work together to score runs as a partnership. The partnership ends when one of the batsmen gets out or when the team completes its innings. A good partnership can help a team to build a strong score or chase down a target in limited-overs cricket.
Top 5 Highest Partnerships in IPL
Here are the top 5 highest partnerships in IPL history:
1. Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – 229 Runs
Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli achieved the highest partnership in IPL history in the 2016 season while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore. The duo put together a mammoth 229-run partnership against the Gujarat Lions at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Chris Gayle scored 119 runs off 48 balls, while Virat Kohli scored 109 runs off 55 balls. This was also the highest T20 partnership at that time.
2. David Warner and Jonny Bairstow (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – 185 Runs another Highest Partnerships in IPL
David Warner and Jonny Bairstow hold the record for the second-highest partnership in IPL history. They achieved this feat in the 2019 season while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The duo scored 185 runs together, with David Warner scoring 100 runs off 55 balls, and Jonny Bairstow scoring 114 runs off 56 balls.
3. Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – 229 Runs
Virat Kohli features on this list once again, this time with AB de Villiers. In the 2015 season, Kohli and de Villiers put together a 229-run partnership against the Mumbai Indians. Kohli scored 82 runs off 50 balls, while de Villiers scored an unbeaten 133 off 59 balls.
4. Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh (Kings XI Punjab) – 206 Runs
In the 2011 season, Kings XI Punjab’s Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh scored 206 runs together in a match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Adam Gilchrist scored 106 runs off 55 balls, while Shaun Marsh scored 79 runs off 49 balls.
5. Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis (Chennai Super Kings) – 181 Runs
Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis achieved the fifth-highest partnership in IPL history in the 2020 season while playing for Chennai Super Kings against the Kings XI Punjab. The duo put together 181 runs, with Shane Watson scoring 83 runs off 53 balls, and Faf du Plessis scoring 87 runs off 53 balls.
Other High-Scoring Highest Partnerships in IPL
Apart from the top 5 highest partnerships, there have been several other notable partnerships in IPL history:
Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir (Kolkata Knight Riders) – 158 Runs
In the 2014 season, Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir put on a 158-run partnership for the Kolkata Knight Riders against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Robin Uthappa top-scored with 80 runs off 52 balls, while Gambhir contributed with 69 runs off 56 balls.
AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – 215 Runs another Highest Partnerships in IPL
AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli’s partnership in the 2016 season is the third-highest partnership in IPL history. They put together a total of 215 runs against the Mumbai Indians, with Kohli scoring 82 runs off 51 balls and de Villiers scoring an unbeaten 129 runs off 52 balls.
David Warner and Shane Watson (Sunrisers Hyderabad) – 144 Runs
In the 2016 season, David Warner and Shane Watson put together a partnership of 144 runs for the Sunrisers Hyderabad against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Warner scored 91 runs off 50 balls, while Watson contributed with 60 runs off 41 balls.
Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith (Gujarat Lions) – 93 Runs
Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith’s partnership in the 2016 season is the highest partnership for the first wicket in IPL history. They scored 93 runs together for the Gujarat Lions against the Rising Pune Supergiants, with McCullum scoring 49 runs off 31 balls, and Smith scoring 47 runs off 30 balls.
Conclusion
The IPL has witnessed some memorable partnerships over the years, with batsmen showcasing their skills and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in limited-overs cricket. The top 5 highest partnerships in IPL history are remarkable feats of batting, with Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli’s 229-run partnership at the top of the list. However, there have been several other high-scoring partnerships that are worth remembering, including Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir’s 158-run partnership and AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli’s 215-run partnership.
FAQs
Which team holds the record for the highest partnership in IPL history?
The Royal Challengers Bangalore holds the record for the highest partnership in IPL history. Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli put together a 229-run partnership in the 2016 season.
Who has scored the most runs in IPL history?
Virat Kohli is the leading run-scorer in IPL history, with over 6,000 runs to his name.
Who has hit the most sixes in IPL history?
Chris Gayle has hit the most sixes in IPL history, with over 350 sixes to his name.
What is the highest total score in IPL?
The highest total score in IPL history is 263/5, which was scored by the Royal Challengers Bangalore against the Pune Warriors India in the 2013 season.
Who has taken the most wickets in IPL history?
Lasith Malinga has taken the most wickets in IPL history, with 170 wickets to his name.