Highest Partnership in IPL History: Top 10 Best IPL Duo
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen many memorable moments and partnerships over its 16 seasons. Among these, one partnership stands out – the highest partnership in IPL history. Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers achieved this record-breaking feat for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). This match took place against Gujarat Lions in 2016.
In this article, we’ll delve into this iconic partnership. In addition, we will discuss its context, significance, and the factors that made it legendary. We’ll also consider the claim that Kohli and de Villiers are the best IPL duo. We will base it on their highest partnership in IPL history.
The Match: Setting the Stage for Greatness
On May 14th, 2016, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru buzzed with anticipation as RCB faced the Gujarat Lions in the 10th match of the IPL season. The match itself was a one-sided affair. RCB set a mammoth total of 248 runs on the board. Thanks to a batting masterclass by their star duo.
The Records Tumble: A Night to Remember
The partnership continued to flourish, leaving the Gujarat Lions bowlers in despair. Kohli reached his century in just 55 balls, displaying his exceptional form. de Villiers wasn’t far behind, scoring his ton off just 52 deliveries, showcasing his explosive batting style.
The duo eventually surpassed the previous highest partnership in IPL history of 218 runs, set by Gautam Gambhir and Chris Lynn in 2012. The crowd erupted in cheers as they continued their onslaught on the bowling attack. They rewrote the record books with every boundary and six.
Finally, the inevitable happened. After a 132-ball partnership, de Villiers made a well-made 129 runs. However, they had already done the damage. Kohli remained unbeaten on 109 runs, guiding RCB to a massive total of 248/3. This phenomenal partnership not only helped RCB win the match comfortably. This also etched their names in the history books forever, forever known for their highest partnership in IPL history.
Analyzing the Innings: Factors Contributing to the Success
Several factors contributed to the success of this historic partnership:
Complementing Styles
Kohli’s aggressive batting perfectly complemented de Villiers’s more calculated approach. This diverse yet well-coordinated style kept the pressure on the bowlers and prevented them from settling into a rhythm.
Exceptional Form
Both Kohli and de Villiers were in exceptional touch on that day. They were timing the ball beautifully and finding the boundaries with ease, making the bowlers look helpless.
Smart Running between the Wickets
The duo ran smartly between the wickets. They converted singles into twos and kept the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace. This not only put pressure on the opposition. Furthermore, this ensured they maintained control of the innings.
Clear Communication
Throughout the partnership, Kohli and de Villiers communicated effectively. They made sure to choose the right options and avoid unnecessary risks. This sense of understanding and mutual respect played a crucial role in their success. It was this understanding and respect that played a vital role in achieving the highest partnership in IPL history.
Best IPL Duo: Top 10 Highest Partnership in IPL History
The claim that Kohli and de Villiers are the best IPL duo solely based on their highest partnership in IPL history is debatable. While it’s indeed a remarkable feat, one should consider several other factors when evaluating an IPL duo’s success.
| Rank | Players | Runs | Wicket | Teams | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ab de Villiers & Virat Kohli | 229 | 2nd | RCB vs. Gujarat Lions | 2016 |
| 2 | Ab de Villiers & Virat Kohli | 215 | 2nd | RCB vs. Mumbai Indians | 2015 |
| 3 | KL Rahul & Quinton de Kock | 210* | 1st | LSG vs. Kolkata Knight Riders | 2022 |
| 4 | Shaun Marsh & Adam Gilchrist | 206 | 2nd | KXIP vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore | 2011 |
| 5 | Virat Kohli & Chris Gayle | 204* | 2nd | RCB vs. Delhi Daredevils | 2012 |
| 6 | David Warner & Naman Ojha | 189* | 2nd | Delhi Daredevils vs. Deccan Chargers Hyderabad | 2012 |
| 7 | David Warner & Jonny Bairstow | 185 | 1st | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore | 2019 |
| 8 | Chris Lynn & Gautam Gambhir | 184* | 1st | KKR vs. Gujarat Lions | 2017 |
| 9 | KL Rahul & Mayank Agarwal | 183 | 1st | KXIP vs. Rajasthan Royals | 2020 |
| 10 | Ruturaj Gaikwad & Devon Conway | 182 | 1st | CSK vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2022 |
NOTE:
- The partnerships marked with an asterisk (*) signify they remained unbeaten.
- Abbreviations: RCB – Royal Challengers Bangalore, KXIP – Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), LSG – Lucknow Super Giants, CSK – Chennai Super Kings, KKR – Kolkata Knight Riders
1. Ab de Villiers & Virat Kohli
2. Ab de Villiers & Virat Kohli
In 2015, Ab de Villiers and Virat Kohli, both playing for RCB, also had a notable partnership. They scored 215 runs together against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium.
3. KL Rahul & Quinton de Kock
In 2022, KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock made history by scoring the highest number of runs for the first wicket in an IPL match. They achieved this feat while playing for Lucknow Super Giants against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at DY Patil Stadium. Their partnership of 210 runs remained unbeaten.
4. Shaun Marsh & Adam Gilchrist
Shaun Marsh and Adam Gilchrist, representing Kings XI Punjab, had a partnership of 206 runs for the second wicket on May 17, 2011. This took place during a match against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Dharamshala.
5. Virat Kohli & Chris Gayle
On 17 May 2012, Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle played a crucial role in RCB’s victory over Delhi Daredevils. They formed a partnership of 204* runs for the second wicket, helping their team secure a win.
6. David Warner & Naman Ojha
David Warner and Naman Ojha, playing for Delhi Daredevils, scored 189* runs together for the second wicket on 10 May 2012. They were up against Deccan Chargers Hyderabad and won the match by 9 wickets.
7. David Warner & Jonny Bairstow
David Warner and Jonny Bairstow, representing Sunrisers Hyderabad, had a partnership of 185 runs against RCB on 31 March 2019. They batted for the first wicket, with Warner remaining not out at 100.
8. Chris Lynn & Gautam Gambhir
On 7 April 2017, Chris Lynn and Gautam Gambhir played for Kolkata Knight Riders. They had an unbroken partnership of 184* runs for the first wicket against Gujarat Lions in Rajkot.
9. KL Rahul & Mayank Agarwal
In a match against Rajasthan Royals on 27 September 2020, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal played for Kings XI Punjab. This duo scored 183 runs together for the first wicket.
10. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway
In May 2022, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway had a partnership of 182 runs for the first wicket. They were playing for Chennai Super Kings against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Gaikwad scored 99 runs before getting out.
In the IPL, partnerships between players are crucial, and some stand out for their incredible teamwork.
Conclusion
These partnerships showcased exceptional batting skills, setting huge totals for their teams. Virat Kohli, Ab de Villiers, and David Warner have been a part of many such highest partnership in IPL history.
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