Highest Opening Partnership in IPL

Over the years, we have witnessed some phenomenal opening partnerships in IPL. These partnerships not only entertain the fans but also play a crucial role in setting up big totals or chasing down challenging targets.

Chris Gayle and Tillakaratne Dilshan for RCB, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal for Kings XI, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis for RCB, David Warner and Jonny Bairstow are just a few examples.

The record for the highest opening partnership in IPL belongs to KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock of Lucknow Super Giants. They put up a staggering 210 runs together against Kolkata Knight Riders on 18/05/2022.

Highest Opening Partnership in IPL History | Top 10

Sr. No.	Partners	Runs	Wkt	Team	Vs	Match Date
1	KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock	210*	1st	LSG	v KKR	18-May-22
2	David Warner, Jonny Bairstow	185	1st	SRH	v RCB	31-Mar-19
3	Chris Lynn, Gautam Gambhir	184*	1st	KKR	v Guj Lions	7-Apr-17
4	KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal	183	1st	Kings XI	v RR	27-Sep-20
5	Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway	182	1st	CSK	v SRH	1-May-22
6	Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis	181*	1st	CSK	v Kings XI	4-Oct-20
7	Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli	181*	1st	RCB	v RR	22-Apr-21
8	Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis	172	1st	RCB	v SRH	18-May-23
9	Chris Gayle, Tillakaratne Dilshan	167	1st	RCB	v Warriors	23-Apr-13
10	Sachin Tendulkar, Dwayne Smith	163*	1st	MI	v RR	20-May-12

Here is a detailed overview of the top 10 highest opening partnerships in IPL:

10. Sachin Tendulkar, Dwayne Smith – 163* runs

In the 72nd match of the 2012 Indian Premier League season, Sachin Tendulkar and Dwayne Smith of Mumbai Indians combined for an unbeaten 163-run partnership against RR.

Rajasthan Royals batted first and posted a total of 162/6 in their 20 overs. Shane Watson top-scored with 45 runs, while Stuart Binny contributed a quick 30.

In response, Mumbai Indians chased down the target without losing a single wicket. Sachin Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 58, but the star of the innings was Dwayne Smith, who smashed an unbeaten 87 off just 58 balls, including 10 fours and 3 sixes.

9. Chris Gayle, Tillakaratne Dilshan – 167 runs

Chris Gayle and Tillakaratne Dilshan of RCB made an outstanding partnership of 167 runs against Pune Warriors on 23rd April 2013.

Gayle remained unbeaten on 175 runs off just 66 balls, smashing 13 fours and a record-breaking 17 sixes. Royal Challengers Bangalore put up a monumental total of 263/5 in their 20 overs.

In response, Pune Warriors could only manage 133/9 in their 20 overs, falling short by 130 runs. Ravi Rampaul and Jaydev Unadkat starred with the ball for Royal Challengers Bangalore, picking up two wickets each.

8. Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis – 172 runs

In the 65th match of the 2023 Indian Premier League, Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a competitive total of 186/5 in their 20 overs. Heinrich Klaasen was the star performer for Hyderabad, scoring a brilliant 104 off just 51 balls, including 8 fours and 6 sixes. 

In response, Royal Challengers Bangalore chased down the target comfortably, reaching 187/2 in 19.2 overs. Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis made 172 runs partnership for RCB. It is the best opening partnership in IPL 2023.

Virat Kohli led from the front with a magnificent century, scoring 100 off 63 balls, while Faf du Plessis contributed with a solid 71 off 47 balls.

7. Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli – 181* runs

Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli’s unbeaten partnership of 181 runs for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on 22nd April 2021 is the seventh-highest opening partnership in IPL history.

Batting first, Rajasthan Royals posted a total of 177/9 in their 20 overs. Shivam Dube was the top scorer for Rajasthan Royals with 46 runs off 32 balls, followed by Rahul Tewatia’s quickfire 40 off 23 balls.

In reply, Royal Challengers Bangalore chased down the target without losing a wicket, reaching 181/0 in just 16.3 overs. Devdutt Padikkal was the star of the innings, scoring an unbeaten 101 off 52 balls, while Virat Kohli played a supporting role with an unbeaten 72 off 47 balls.

6. Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis – 181* runs

Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis combined for an unbeaten 181-run partnership for CSK against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) on 4th October 2020.

Batting first, Kings XI Punjab posted a competitive total of 178/4 in their 20 overs. KL Rahul top-scored for his team, scoring 63 runs off 52 balls.

In response, Chennai Super Kings chased down the target with ease, reaching 181/0 in just 17.4 overs. Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis starred with the bat, scoring unbeaten 83 and 87 runs respectively. Their partnership of 181 runs ensured a comfortable victory for Chennai Super Kings.

5. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway – 182 runs

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) duo Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway registered a partnership of 182 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on 1st May 2022.

Due to their partnership, Chennai Super Kings posted a challenging total of 202/2 in their 20 overs. Ruturaj Gaikwad starred with the bat, narrowly missing out on a century as he scored 99 runs off 57 balls. He was well-supported by Devon Conway, who remained unbeaten on 85 off 55 balls. 

In response, Sunrisers Hyderabad made a valiant effort but fell short of the target, finishing at 189/6 in their 20 overs.

4. KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal – 183 runs

KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, playing for Punjab Kings, amassed 183 runs against Rajasthan Royals on 27th September 2020.

Gujarat Lions batted first and posted a competitive total of 183/4 in their 20 overs. Suresh Raina top-scored with an unbeaten 68 off 51 balls, while Brendon McCullum contributed 35 off 24 balls. Dinesh Karthik played a quickfire innings, scoring 47 off just 25 balls. 

Chasing 184 for victory, Kolkata Knight Riders cruised to victory without losing a wicket. Chris Lynn was the star of the show, smashing an unbeaten 93 off just 41 balls, including 6 fours and 8 sixes. Gautam Gambhir played a captain’s knock, scoring an unbeaten 76 off 48 balls.

3. Chris Lynn, Gautam Gambhir – 184* runs

Chris Lynn and Gautam Gambhir’s unbeaten partnership of 184 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Gujarat Lions on 7th April 2017 is the third-highest opening stand in IPL history.

Batting first, Gujarat Lions posted a competitive total of 183/4 in their 20 overs. Suresh Raina top-scored with an unbeaten 68 off 51 balls, while Brendon McCullum contributed with 35 runs. Dinesh Karthik played a quickfire innings, scoring 47 off just 25 balls.

In response, Kolkata Knight Riders chased down the target without losing a single wicket.  The partnership between Lynn and Gambhir was unbroken and they achieved the target in just 14.5 overs.

Chris Lynn was the star of the innings, smashing an unbeaten 93 off just 41 balls, including 6 fours and 8 sixes. Gautam Gambhir also played a captain’s knock, scoring an unbeaten 76 off 48 balls.

2. David Warner, Jonny Bairstow – 185 runs

On 31st March 2019, the Sunrisers Hyderabad openers, David Warner and Jonny Bairstow, unleashed carnage against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The duo stitched together a magnificent 185-run partnership.

Bairstow scored 114 off just 56 balls, including 12 fours and 7 sixes, while Warner remained unbeaten on 100 off 55 balls, smashing 5 fours and 5 sixes.

In response, Royal Challengers Bangalore faltered and could only manage 113 all out in 19.5 overs. Mohammad Nabi was the chief tormentor for Sunrisers Hyderabad, picking up 4 wickets for just 11 runs in his 4 overs. Sandeep Sharma also played a crucial role, taking 3 wickets.

1. KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock – 210* runs

KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock of Lucknow Super Giants combined to score an unbeaten 210 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders on 18th May 2022. It is the best opening partnership in IPL history.

Batting first, Lucknow Super Giants posted a mammoth total of 210/0 in their 20 overs, thanks to a brilliant unbeaten century by Quinton de Kock. 

De Kock scored a breathtaking 140* off just 70 balls, smashing 10 fours and 10 sixes. KL Rahul also contributed with an unbeaten 68 off 51 balls.

In response, Kolkata Knight Riders fought hard but fell just short of the target, finishing on 208/8 in their 20 overs.

Highest Opening Partnership in IPL History List of Top 40

Sr. No.	Partners	Runs	Wkt	Team	Vs	Match Date
1	KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock	210*	1st	LSG	v KKR	18-May-22
2	David Warner, Jonny Bairstow	185	1st	SRH	v RCB	31-Mar-19
3	Chris Lynn, Gautam Gambhir	184*	1st	KKR	v Guj Lions	7-Apr-17
4	KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal	183	1st	Kings XI	v RR	27-Sep-20
5	Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway	182	1st	CSK	v SRH	1-May-22
6	Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis	181*	1st	CSK	v Kings XI	4-Oct-20
7	Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli	181*	1st	RCB	v RR	22-Apr-21
8	Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis	172	1st	RCB	v SRH	18-May-23
9	Chris Gayle, Tillakaratne Dilshan	167	1st	RCB	v Warriors	23-Apr-13
10	Sachin Tendulkar, Dwayne Smith	163*	1st	MI	v RR	20-May-12
11	DA Warner, JM Bairstow	160	1st	SRH	v Kings XI	8-Oct-20
12	M Vijay, MEK Hussey	159	1st	CSK	v RCB	28-May-11
13	VVS Laxman, AC Gilchrist	155*	1st	Chargers	v MI	27-Apr-08
14	D Padikkal, JC Buttler	155	1st	RR	v DC	22-Apr-22
15	DA Warner, WP Saha	151*	1st	SRH	v MI	3-Nov-20
16	V Sehwag, DPMD Jayawardene	151	1st	Daredevils	v MI	21-Apr-13
17	V Kohli, F du Plessis	148	1st	RCB	v MI	2-Apr-23
18	V Kohli, CH Gayle	147	1st	RCB	v Kings XI	18-May-16
19	DA Warner, V Sehwag	146	1st	Daredevils	v Kings XI	23-Apr-11
20	SR Watson, AM Rahane	144	1st	RR	v CSK	19-Apr-15
21	Shubman Gill, WP Saha	142	1st	GT	v LSG	7-May-23
22	RD Gaikwad, DP Conway	141	1st	CSK	v DC	20-May-23
23	Vivrant Sharma, MA Agarwal	140	1st	SRH	v MI	21-May-23
24	M Vijay, MEK Hussey	139*	1st	CSK	v Kings XI	10-Apr-13
25	DA Warner, S Dhawan	139	1st	SRH	v KKR	30-Apr-17
26	PP Shaw, S Dhawan	138	1st	DC	v CSK	10-Apr-21
27	DA Warner, S Dhawan	137*	1st	SRH	v Guj Lions	21-Apr-16
28	V Kohli, F du Plessis	137	1st	RCB	v Punjab Kings	20-Apr-23
29	PC Valthaty, AC Gilchrist	136	1st	Kings XI	v Chargers	16-Apr-11
30	GC Smith, NV Ojha	135	1st	RR	v Kings XI	5-May-09
31	V Sehwag, DPMD Jayawardene	135	1st	Daredevils	v MI	27-Apr-12
32	SR Watson, R Dravid	134*	1st	RR	v MI	20-May-11
33	SR Watson, AT Rayudu	134	1st	CSK	v SRH	13-May-18
34	SE Marsh, JR Hopes	133	1st	Kings XI	v RR	28-May-08
35	PP Shaw, S Dhawan	132	1st	DC	v KKR	29-Apr-21
36	DB Ravi Teja, S Dhawan	131	1st	Chargers	v Kings XI	21-May-11
37	DA Warner, JM Bairstow	131	1st	SRH	v KKR	21-Apr-19
38	DA Warner, S Dhawan	130	1st	SRH	v KKR	22-Apr-15
39	RS Bopara, MS Bisla	129	1st	Kings XI	v RCB	16-Mar-10
40	RD Gaikwad, F du Plessis	129	1st	CSK	v SRH	28-Apr-21

Highest Opening Partnership in IPL 2023

Sr. No.	Partners	Runs	Wkt	Team	Vs	Match Date
1	Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis	172	1st	RCB	v SRH	18-May-23
2	V Kohli, F du Plessis	148	1st	RCB	v MI	2-Apr-23
3	Shubman Gill, WP Saha	142	1st	GT	v LSG	7-May-23
4	RD Gaikwad, DP Conway	141	1st	CSK	v DC	20-May-23
5	Vivrant Sharma, MA Agarwal	140	1st	SRH	v MI	21-May-23
6	V Kohli, F du Plessis	137	1st	RCB	v Punjab Kings	20-Apr-23