IPL: Top 5 partnerships in the tournament

Partnerships are vital to the sport of cricket. It is worth watching two batsmen complement each other perfectly and accumulating some useful runs for the side.

Similarly, a pair of bowlers bowling brilliantly in tandem from opposite ends is one of the great moments of the game. At the heart of cricket is this fascinating contest between the bat and the ball.

In a T20 tournament a good partnership while batting gives hardly any chance to the opposition. Generally, the formula is simple: one player anchors the innings while the other takes the attack to the opposition. However, once the stage is set both batsmen fire all cylinders to accumulate the maximum number of runs.

In a tournament like IPL, batting in partnerships might be a little difficult since batsmen from different countries often find themselves in the middle. Despite such problems, IPL has witnessed some remarkable partnerships over the years.

Here are Top 5 Highest Partnerships in IPL history.

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#5 Naman Ojha and David Warner- 189*

Ojha and Warner had a fantastic partnership against the Deccan Chargers in 2012

The 2012 edition of the Indian Premier League saw Naman Ojha and David Warner script an unbeaten 189-run stand for the second wicket against the Deccan Chargers.

Playing at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, the Delhi Daredevils duo simply did not give any chance to the home team to make a comeback and displayed some superb batting skills.

While Warner scored a wonderful century, Ojha remained not out on 64. Interestingly, both the players who represented the Delhi franchise in 2012 edition, were later grabbed by the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the subsequent auctions after the Deccan Charger’s contract was terminated by the BCCI.

Match Result: Daredevils won by 9 wickets

#4 Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli- 204*

Kohli and Gayle shared a memorable stand in the 2012 edition playing for RCB

Two completely different kinds of batsmen, but geniuses in their own unique way: Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli were involved in an unbeaten double hundred stand for the second wicket in 2012. The Delhi Daredevils were on the receiving side this time around.

While Gayle was flamboyant scoring massive sixes and flashy strokes, Kohli was the silent assassin going about his business without making much noise.

11 fielders appeared too less for the duo as they kept hitting the ball to all parts of the ground without a hint of a struggle. While Gayle made a 128*, Kohli was unbeaten on 73.

Match Result: RCB won by 21 runs

#3 Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh- 206*

Gilchrist and Marsh owned the record for highest partnership for any wicket for 4 years

In the 2011 edition of the league, it was the left-handed pair of the Kings XI Punjab that came to the party. Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh compiled 206* runs for their team against the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The legendary Aussie wicketkeeper Gilli made a century and was well supported by Marsh who made an equally commendable 79*. The RCB bowlers appeared absolutely clueless as they were blown away by the Australian storm.

In response RCB, despite a good batting order, fail to come close.

Match Result: KXIP won by 111 runs

#2 Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers- 215*

Virat and AB continue to don the RCB colors this year as well

Mumbai Indians were taking on the Royal Challengers Bangalore and they had quite a good record at their home ground. The MI were looking good that season (2015) and they had picked up the wicket of the dangerous Chris Gayle early in the game.

At no. 3, AB de Villiers joined Virat at the center and the fans who had come out there in numbers witnessed two master stroke makers almost toying with the Mumbai bowling and fielding setup.

AB and Kohli combined a scintillating 215-run stand and looked in total control of their game. The MI Skipper Rohit Sharma was helpless as even his best bowlers were being taken to the cleaners.

AB scored a century (133* off 59), while Virat made 82 runs off 50 balls and although Mumbai Indians made, an otherwise good looking, 196 in the run chase it was a convincing win for the RCB.

Match Result: RCB won by 39 runs

#1 Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers- 239

The duo has the record for the highest partnership for any wicket in IPL

The AB-Virat duo bettered their own records a year later. The 2016 Go Green Match between the RCB and Gujarat Lions was a delight for fans who come to see batting of the topmost quality.

During the record partnership as many as 20 sixes were hit: 12 by ABD and 8 by Kohli. Both the greats looked in superb touch and were at the peak of their stroke-making abilities on the day.

This was the first instance where 2 batsmen had scored centuries in a single IPL game. The final team total of 248 was the second-highest team total registered ever, with the highest ever also belonging to the RCB.

Match Result: RCB won by 144 runs