10 Highest Partnerships in IPL History

The Indian Premier League stands as a remarkable stage for team batting alliances which established immutable cricket history records throughout its existence. Fans throughout the years have been delighted to see remarkable partnerships between players which transformed games into spectacular showpieces that defeated bowling attacks. IPL season 17 reaches its prime opportunity to examine the all-time top 10 biggest partnerships in league history which demonstrate how two players can create magical teamwork.

1. Virat Kohli & AB de Villiers (RCB) – 229 Runs

The greatest IPL partnership belongs to Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers who achieved it for RCB in 2016. Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers set up the IPL record for the largest partnership while facing Gujarat Lions during the 2016 season. The match turned around when Kohli and de Villiers created history with their 229-run partnership which saved their team after Gayle’s early dismissal during the RCB’s 2016 contest against Gujarat Lions. Through their 96-ball run partnership, these batters achieved outstanding T20 batting skills. De Villiers finished the RCB match against Gujarat Lions 2016 without getting out for 129 and Kohli made his 109 through 55 balls by keeping up a high-energy style of play. Royal Challengers Bangalore reached 248/3 runs in twenty overs through the batting actions of both players. This alliance became memorable to all IPL fans by elevating IPL history standards through its permanent imprint.

2. Virat Kohli & AB de Villiers (RCB) – 215 Runs*

The AB-Kohli partnership creates another record on this list which reinforces their position as IPL’s most destructive batting partnership. Both batsmen scored 215 runs for the second wicket at Wankhede Stadium Mumbai against Mumbai Indians during the 2015 season. Their third-wicket stand became the second-best pairing of 229 runs the year after this remarkable 215-run record which remains one of the most destructive partnerships in IPL annals.

A crucial partnership between de Villiers and Kohli resulted in RCB’s formidable 235/1 total after de Villiers hit 133* from 59 balls and Kohli maintained 82* from 50 balls. De Villiers and Kohli formed a partnership which demonstrated flawless aggression alongside consistent performance as they overwhelmed the Mumbai bowling attack.

3. Quinton de Kock & KL Rahul (LSG) – 210 Runs*

In an IPL match during 2022 Lucknow Super Giants began their innings with Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul who broke all existing partnerships by scoring 210 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders. This partnership placed third in the list of IPL’s longest partnerships and established the all-time highest record for opening runs. In that match De Kock scored 140* runs becoming the 3rd highest individual achievement in IPL records. Rahul scored 68* runs from his 51 ball inning to support his team. The partnership between them led Lucknow to an ambitious scoring total before securing the heavyweight victory. The batting duo created a perfect demonstration that opening batsmen establish the match’s atmosphere which intensifies pressure on their opponents throughout the innings.

4. Shubman Gill & Sai Sudharsan (GT) – 210 Runs

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan of the Gujarat Titans created history by forming the most productive opening partnership in IPL history with their joint 210-run stand. The two openers destroyed the Chennai Super Kings’ bowling line-up during their outstanding outing. The pair of Gill and Sudharsan produced remarkable batting performances during the match by hitting 104 and 103 runs respectively in 55 and 52 balls. Through their 210-run stand, both players showed exceptional batting technique and aggressive style during their partnership. Gujarat Titans scored 231/4 runs during their 20-over innings that secured their win against Chennai Super Kings. Gujarat’s reputation in the IPL gained additional excitement as this partnership demonstrated the profound strengths of their batting force.

5. Adam Gilchrist & Shaun Marsh (PBKS) – 206 Runs

Prior to Kohli and de Villiers’ records the Australian cricketers Gilchrist and Marsh maintained the title of the highest IPL partnership. The 206-run partnership between second wicket keepers from Royal Challengers Bangalore in their 2011 season match stayed undefeated for four years. In his sensational batting display, Gilchrist scored 106 runs from just 55 balls as he started his attacking approach with the very first delivery against Royal Challengers Bangalore. The batting duo of Marsh received strong backing as he produced an unstoppable 79* off 49 balls. The batting alliance between the two players allowed Punjab Kings (former Kings XI Punjab) to achieve a match-defining total of 232/2 in their twenty overs. Through their powerful batting exhibition Gilchrist and Marsh helped Punjab secure a 111-run victory that remains one of the most historic matches in the Indian Premier League.

Also Read: Top 10 Highest Run Scorers in IPL- From Virat Kohli to Robin Uthappa

6. Virat Kohli & Chris Gayle – 204 (RCB vs. Delhi Daredevils, May 17, 2012)*

The remembered partnership at number one belongs to Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) played against the Delhi Daredevils when these two megastars delivered a complete domination of bat skills. While playing for RCB against the Delhi Daredevils Gayle and Kohli produced an unanswered 204* partnership that secured their wickets in the second position. Gayle’s dominant power hitting alongside Kohli’s skills gave RCB an impressive total which enabled them to win the match comfortably. Kohli batted until he reached 73 runs before Gayle ended the inning by hitting 128* runs against the Delhi Daredevils. The 204* run alliance between Gayle and Kohli has earned its status as a legendary partnership among all IPL history records.

7. David Warner & Naman Ojha – 189 (Delhi Daredevils vs. Deccan Chargers, May 10, 2012)*

The centurion efforts of David Warner and Naman Ojha created an IPL historical partnership that failed to bring victory for Delhi Daredevils. The partnership between the Delhi Daredevils’ players reached 189* for the second wicket against the Deccan Chargers during their May 10, 2012 matchup. During the match against the Deccan Chargers Warner performed an explosive innings of 109* runs as Ojha backed him up with a consistent 53* contribution. Shikhar Dhawan scored 84 runs as the Deccan Chargers comfortably overtook the target although the pair from Delhi Daredevils posted 189* against them. Both Warner and Ojha developed the second-highest partnership in IPL history through their exceptional batting abilities.

8. David Warner & Jonny Bairstow – 185 (SRH vs. RCB, March 31, 2019)

The return of David Warner to the record list should not come as a surprise to anyone. Through his partnership with English batsman Jonny Bairstow for Sunrisers Hyderabad against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, both players put up a solid 185-run stand at the top of the order. Both batters hit 185 runs together as they smashed aggressive boundaries throughout their entire 185-run opening partnership. Sunrisers Hyderabad secured 214 runs from two batsmen Bairstow who managed 114 runs off 56 balls as Warner finished the innings not out on 100 runs. The massive partnership between SRH raised their team total dramatically as RCB failed to complete their run chase due to the amazing potential of these powerful openers.

9. Chris Lynn & Gautam Gambhir – 184 (Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Gujarat Lions, April 7, 2017)*

During the Kolkata Knight Riders’ match against Gujarat Lions in Rajkot both attacking-minded Chris Lynn and Gautam Gambhir formed a legendary opening partnership. The opening batsmen stayed on the pitch until the end sharing an alliance that reached a total of 184* runs. Lynn finished with 93* runs and Gambhir added 76* to their partnership which resulted in Kolkata Knight Riders winning the match by 10 wickets. This remarkable partnership between Chris Lynn and Gautam Gambhir resulted in their victory with multiple overs remaining making it one of the finest undefeated innings in IPL history.

10. KL Rahul & Mayank Agarwal – 183 (Kings XI Punjab vs. Rajasthan Royals, September 27, 2020)

During their days at the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul showcased their impeccable batting connection by establishing a fabulous 183 partnership. During the match against Rajasthan Royals at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, these partners formed the opening partnership which produced 183 runs. Among their partnership of 183 Rahul held the captain’s spotlight through his 69* off 48 balls performance while Agarwal hit a spectacular 106* off 50 balls. This remarkable alliance achieved the fifth rank in addition to proving that consistent batting performance under stressful situations can generate significant scores. Their combined batting performance resulted in Punjab scoring a large total even though Rajasthan Royals finished their inning short of reaching the target.

These successful partnerships transformed their matches while transforming IPL history forever. The cricketing duos consisting of Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli alongside Warner and Bairstow and finally KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal each contributed distinct strengths to the games they played. Players confirmed that successful teaming up in cricket matches determines which team will triumph or falter. Each IPL season creates new records which will likely be surpassed by upcoming exciting pairs that will captivate spectators.

List of 10 Biggest Partnerships in IPL History

Rank	Players	Runs	Wicket	Against	Date
1	V Kohli, AB de Villiers	229	2nd	Guj Lions	14-May-2016
2	V Kohli, AB de Villiers	215*	2nd	MI	10-May-2015
3	KL Rahul, Q. de Kock	210*	1st	KKR	18-May-2022
4	Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan	210	1st	CSK	10-May-2024
5	S. E. Marsh, A. Gilchrist	206	2nd	RCB	17-May-2011
6	V. Kohli, C. Gayle	204*	2nd	Daredevils	17-May-2012
7	DA Warner, NV Ojha	189*	2nd	Chargers	10-May-2012
8	DA Warner, JM Bairstow	185	1st	RCB	31-Mar-2019
9	CA Lynn, G Gambhir	184*	1st	Guj Lions	07-Apr-2017
10	KL Rahul, MA Agarwal	183	1st	RR	27-Sep-2020

Also Read: What is the Highest Team Score in IPL History?