In IPL, the greatest opening partnerships speak of sheer strength in teamwork: lots of memorable partnerships and some great thunderous ones have set the tone for fantastic matches.
Some of these partnerships have demolished the bowling attacks with striking strokes of their weapons, while others have built bridges-perfectly-defined matches in-same. Most often, these have been critical opening stands in the match and have left memorable moments in the minds of fans.
This article describes the ten highest partnerships for the opening wicket in IPL history, remembering the players, the context of the matches, and the gravity of their innings.
Top 10 Highest Opening Partnerships In IPL List
In IPL. These remarkable partnerships in IPL are testimony to the great skill of opening pairs, who know how to forge that really explosive start and set the stadium up for great totals.
RCB appears to be twice on the list, and Virat Kohli-King of IPL was instrumental in both instances. So, here we present the 10 highest opening partnerships in IPL history.
Partners | Team | Runs | Against | Date |
Quinton de Kock & KL Rahul | LSG | 210* | KKR | May 18, 2022 |
Sai Sudharsan & Shubman Gill | GT | 210 | CSK | May 15, 2024 |
David Warner & Jonny Bairstow | SRH | 185 | RCB | March 31, 2019 |
Chris Lynn & Gautam Gambhir | KKR | 184* | GT | April 7, 2017 |
KL Rahul & Mayank Agarwal | Kings XI Punjab | 183 | RR | September 27, 2020 |
Devon Conway & Ruturaj Gaikwad | CSK | 182 | SRH | May 1, 2022 |
Shane Watson & Faf du Plessis | CSK | 181* | Kings XI Punjab | October 4, 2020 |
Devdutt Padikkal & Virat Kohli | RCB | 181* | RR | April 22, 2021 |
Virat Kohli & Faf du Plessis | RCB | 172 | SRH | May 18, 2023 |
Abhishek Sharma & Travis Head | SRH | 167* | LSG | May 8, 2024 |
Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul – 210 Runs (LSG vs KKR, 2022)
On May 18, 2022, KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock of Lucknow Super Giants made history with an unbroken 210-run opening partnership against Kolkata Knight Riders.
De Kock’s explosive 140* off 70 deliveries, combined with Rahul’s composed 68* off 51, propelled LSG to a formidable 210/0.
Their unbeaten stand remains the highest in IPL history, exemplifying flawless coordination, relentless boundary-hitting, and aggressive stroke play that overwhelmed the KKR bowling attack.
B Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill – 210 Runs (GT vs CSK, 2024)
On May 10, 2024, Gujarat Titans’ Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan equaled the IPL record with a remarkable 210-run partnership against Chennai Super Kings.
Also, read about the Highest Partnership in IPL.
Gill’s graceful stroke play, combined with Sudharsan’s aggressive intent, kept GT in complete control against the CSK bowlers. Both batsmen notched centuries, powering their team to a massive total.
Their balanced yet attacking approach laid the foundation for a commanding batting performance, making this stand one of the most unforgettable in IPL history.
Jonny Bairstow and David Warner– 185 Runs (SRH vs RCB, 2019)
On March 31, 2019, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s explosive duo, David Warner and Jonny Bairstow, dismantled the Royal Challengers Bangalore bowling attack with a breathtaking 185-run partnership.
Bairstow’s blistering 114 off 56 deliveries, paired with Warner’s elegant 100 off 55, propelled SRH to a towering total.
Their relentless aggression left RCB with no room for a comeback, setting a benchmark for destructive opening stands in IPL history with powerful stroke play and impeccable shot selection.
Gautam Gambhir and Chris Lynn – 184 Runs (KKR vs GL, 2017)
On April 7, 2017, Kolkata Knight Riders’ Chris Lynn and Gautam Gambhir delivered a batting masterclass, forging an unbeaten 184-run opening stand against Gujarat Lions.
Lynn’s explosive 93* off 41 balls, combined with Gambhir’s steady 76* off 48, powered KKR to a dominant 10-wicket victory.
Their fearless intent and aggressive powerplay hitting set the stage for a flawless chase, marking one of the most clinical opening partnerships in IPL history.
KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal– 183 Runs (KXIP vs RR, 2020)
On September 27, 2020, Kings XI Punjab’s Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul lit up the IPL with a stunning 183-run opening partnership against Rajasthan Royals.
Agarwal’s blistering 106 off 50 balls, paired with Rahul’s steady 69 off 54, set a challenging total.
Though Rajasthan scripted a record chase, this partnership stood out for its exquisite stroke play, acceleration, and fearless intent, securing its place among the finest opening stands in IPL history.
Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad – 182 Runs (CSK vs SRH, 2022)
On May 1, 2022, Chennai Super Kings’ Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway stitched together a commanding 182-run opening partnership against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Gaikwad dazzled with a brilliant 99 off 57 deliveries, while Conway anchored the innings with an unbeaten 85 off 55. Their blend of controlled aggression and precise shot-making dismantled SRH’s bowling attack.
With flawless coordination and impeccable execution, they provided CSK with a rock-solid foundation in a dominant batting display.
Shane Watson & Faf du Plessis – 181 Runs (CSK vs KXIP, 2020)
During IPL 2020, Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson delivered a batting masterclass, forging an unbeaten 181-run opening stand—the second-highest in IPL history.
Watson’s explosive 83*, complemented by du Plessis’ solid 87*, powered Chennai Super Kings to a commanding total.
Their partnership seamlessly combined steady accumulation with aggressive stroke play, paving the way for a comprehensive CSK victory.
Devdutt Padikkal & Virat Kohli – 181 Runs (RCB vs RR, 2021)
On April 22, 2021, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal stitched together an unbeaten 181-run stand against Rajasthan Royals.
Padikkal’s brilliant 101* off 52 balls, along with Kohli’s composed 72* off 47, ensured a smooth and dominant chase.
Blending youthful aggression with seasoned game awareness, their partnership guided RCB to a flawless 10-wicket victory, making it one of the most elegant opening stands in IPL history.
Virat Kohli & Faf du Plesssis– 172 Runs (RCB vs SRH, 2023)
In IPL 2023, Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli formed a formidable opening duo, amassing 172 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Du Plessis played a captain’s knock, scoring 73 off 50 balls, while Kohli’s aggressive 100* off 63 stole the show.
Their partnership struck the perfect balance between control and aggression, setting up a commanding victory for RCB and solidifying their place among IPL’s greatest opening pairs.
Abhishek Sharma & Travis Head – 167 Runs (SRH vs LSG, 2024)
On May 8, 2024, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s explosive pair, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, forged an unbeaten 167-run partnership against Lucknow Super Giants.
Head’s power-hitting and Sharma’s aggressive stroke play ensured SRH comfortably chased down the target.
Their ability to dominate the powerplay and sustain momentum throughout the innings made this one of IPL’s most impactful opening partnerships on which people place bet on IPL Matches, showcasing fearless and dynamic batting.
Highest Opening Partnership in IPL 2024
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed some remarkable partnerships over the years. The record for the highest partnership in IPL history belongs to the legendary Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) duo, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. In the 2016 season, they put together an unbeaten 229-run stand against Gujarat Lions. AB de Villiers played a scintillating knock of 129* off 52 balls, while Kohli contributed 109* off 55 balls, leading RCB to a commanding total of 248/3.
Notably, Kohli and de Villiers also hold the record for the second-highest partnership in IPL history. In 2015, they amassed 215* runs against the Mumbai Indians, further solidifying their dominance as one of the most formidable batting pairs in IPL history.
Other Notable IPL Partnerships
The third-highest partnership in IPL history came from the?? opening pair of KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock, who added 210* runs for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2022. This remains the highest opening partnership in the league’s history.
Before that, the first-ever 200+ partnership in IPL history was achieved by Kings XI Punjab’s Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh in 2011. The Australian duo stitched together an unbeaten 206-run stand against RCB, which remains the fourth-highest in IPL history.
A year later, on May 17, 2012, Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli became the second pair to score over 200 runs in a single partnership. They recorded an unbeaten 204-run stand against Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) for the second wicket.
Importance of Opening Partnerships in IPL
Historically, strong opening partnerships have played a crucial role in IPL success. The highest partnerships in the league have often included at least one centurion, showcasing the immense caliber of these top-order batsmen. More often than not, one of the openers in such partnerships also ends up winning the Orange Cap for scoring the most runs in a season.
Record-Breaking Partnerships by Top Batting Order
Virat Kohli has consistently proven his ability to build massive partnerships, demonstrating his adaptability across various batting positions. His chemistry with AB de Villiers has been particularly noteworthy, highlighting how two world-class players can dismantle bowling attacks with ease.
Highest Opening Partnership in IPL
KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock’s record-breaking 210-run partnership in IPL 2022 remains the highest for an opening stand in the tournament’s history. Their unbeaten stand against KKR was a perfect example of how strong opening pairs can set the foundation for a team’s success.
Conclusion
The history of the IPL has been shaped by explosive opening partnerships that have set the stage for thrilling encounters. These record-breaking stands have not only propelled teams to massive totals but have also left an indelible mark on the tournament’s legacy. From the highest-ever opening partnership of 210* runs by KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock to other unforgettable duos like Shubman Gill-Sai Sudharsan and Warner-Bairstow, these performances highlight the impact of well-coordinated and aggressive opening stands. To read more such articles one can do Indibet Login for a seamless betting experience.
FAQs on Highest Partnerships in IPL History
1) Who holds the record for the highest partnership in IPL history?
The highest partnership in IPL history is 229 runs, set by Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers for RCB against Gujarat Lions on May 14, 2016.
2) Which duo has the most 50+ partnerships in an IPL season?
In IPL 2023, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis of RCB recorded eight 50-plus partnerships, the most by any pair in a single season.
3) Who is the best opener in IPL history?
Shikhar Dhawan is widely regarded as the best opener in IPL history. Since 2008, he has scored 6,244 runs in 206 matches, with an impressive strike rate of 126.3, an average of 35.1, and two centuries along with 47 half-centuries to his name.
