5 highest-ever ODI partnerships vs India 

Herschelle Gibbs and Gary Kirsten

#3. Herschelle Gibbs and Gary Kirsten (Kochi 2000)

In the first ODI of the controversial 2000 India tour, played at Kochi on March 9, 2000, South African openers Herschelle Gibbs and Gary Kirsten flayed the Indian attack to all parts, batting first. The pair added 235 for the opening wicket in 39.3 overs as India’s bowlers looked clueless.

Former India coach Kirsten hit 115 from 123 balls, an innings punctuated with 12 fours, while Gibbs eased his way to 111 from 127 deliveries, creaming 11 fours and two sixes. Thanks to the duo’s magnificent batting efforts, South Africa finished their innings on 301 for 3.

It wasn’t enough for South Africa to register a victory though as Ajay Jadeja (92) and Robin Singh (42 not out) took India to victory in a thriller, with two balls to spare.

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Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn

#4. Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn (Johannesburg 2003)

This was the most significant of all partnerships, coming as it did in the final of the 2003 World Cup at Johannesburg on March 23. After Adam Gilchrist (57) and Matthew Hayden (37) had featured in a century opening stand, captain Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn completely shut out India from the final.

Ponting blasted an unbeaten 140 from 121 balls, with eight sixes to go with his four fours. The sublime Martyn eased his way to 88 not out from 84 balls, collecting seven fours and a six. The fire and ice combination posted a mammoth stand of 234* for the third wicket. Australia finished their innings on an astonishing 359 for 2.

India lost Sachin Tendulkar in the first over of the chase. And, despite Virender Sehwag’s belligerent 82, went down in the final by 125 runs.