The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed some of the biggest cricketing partnerships in the T20 format. Among the plethora of remarkable moments, certain partnerships stand out for their sheer dominance and monumental run-scoring.
In the 2016 edition of the tournament, Virat Kohli and Ab de Villiers of Royal Challengers Bengaluru stitched together a remarkable partnership of 229 runs, a number which is rarely even reached by a team collectively in T20s. This second-wicket partnership between the two modern-day greats is remembered as one of the finest moments in IPL history.
Kohli, in fact, has been involved in several of such long partnerships in the IPL. Let us check out a list of the top 10 highest partnerships in IPL history.
List of Top 10 Highest Run Partnership in IPL History
| Rank | Players | Runs | Wicket | Team | Opposition | Ground | Year |
| 1 | V Kohli, AB de Villiers | 229 | 2nd | RCB | Guj Lions | Bengaluru | 2016 |
| 2 | V Kohli, AB de Villiers | 215* | 2nd | RCB | MI | Wankhede | 2015 |
| 3 | KL Rahul, Q de Kock | 210* | 1st | LSG | KKR | DY Patil | 2022 |
| 4 | Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan | 210 | 1st | GT | CSK | Ahmedabad | 2024 |
| 5 | SE Marsh, AC Gilchrist | 206 | 2nd | Kings XI | RCB | Dharamsala | 2011 |
| 6 | V Kohli, CH Gayle | 204* | 2nd | RCB | Daredevils | Delhi | 2012 |
| 7 | DA Warner, NV Ojha | 189* | 2nd | Daredevils | Chargers | Hyderabad | 2012 |
| 8 | DA Warner, JM Bairstow | 185 | 1st | SRH | RCB | Hyderabad | 2019 |
| 9 | CA Lynn, G Gambhir | 184* | 1st | KKR | Guj Lions | Rajkot | 2017 |
| 10 | KL Rahul, MA Agarwal | 183 | 1st | Kings XI | RR | Sharjah | 2020 |
1. Virat Kohli & AB de Villiers – 229 runs (RCB vs. Gujarat Lions, May 14, 2016)
In a display of absolute batting mastery, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers orchestrated a symphony of strokes, amassing an astounding 229 runs against the Gujarat Lions. Their second-wicket partnership remains unmatched in IPL history.
Kohli’s innings concluded with an impressive 109 runs off 55 balls, while de Villiers remained unbeaten with a stellar 129 runs off just 52 balls, propelling Bangalore to a commanding total of 248 for 3 in their allotted 20 overs.
Read More: Who is the King of IPL?
2. Virat Kohli & AB de Villiers – 215* runs (RCB vs. MI, May 10, 2015)
The dynamic duo of Kohli and de Villiers delivered another masterclass in partnership building, this time against the Mumbai Indians. Their unbeaten partnership of 215 runs showcased their ability to decimate any bowling attack with finesse and flair.
De Villiers showcased his brilliance with an outstanding unbeaten innings of 133 runs, while Kohli contributed a solid 82 not out off 50 balls. Bangalore wrapped up their innings with an impressive total of 235 for 1 in their allotted 20 overs.
3. KL Rahul & Quinton de Kock – 210* runs (LSG vs. KKR, May 18, 2022)
KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock left spectators in awe with their unyielding partnership for Lucknow Super Giants against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Their unbeaten opening stand of 210 runs is also the highest opening partnerships in the IPL.
De Kock remained unbeaten on 140 off 70, smashing 10 boundaries and as many maximums along the way. Rahul, on the other hand, scored an unbeaten 68 off 51.Â
4. Shubman Gill & B Sai Sudharsan – 210 runs (GT vs. CSK, May 10, 2024)
In a recent addition to the record books, Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan piled up runs for Gujarat Titans against the Chennai Super Kings. Their opening stand of 210 runs illustrated the potential of young talents in shaping IPL history.
Gill scored a commanding innings of 104 runs off 55 balls, while Sudharsan matched his effectiveness with a well-played 103 off 52 balls. Together, they propelled Gujarat to a formidable total of 231 runs in their 20 overs.Â
Suggested Read: Highest Team Score in IPL
5. Shaun Marsh & Adam Gilchrist – 206 runs (Kings XI vs. RCB, May 17, 2011)
Shaun Marsh and Adam Gilchrist formed a formidable partnership for the Kings XI Punjab against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Their second-wicket partnership yielded 206 runs.
Gilchrist scored 106 runs off 55 balls, while Marsh remained unbeaten with a stellar 79 off 49 balls. Together, they forged a formidable partnership of 206 runs in just 96 balls for the second wicket, propelling Punjab to a massive total of 232 for 2 in their allotted 20 overs.Â
6. Virat Kohli & Chris Gayle – 204* runs (RCB vs. Daredevils, May 17, 2012)
Continuing his dominance in partnership records, Virat Kohli, this time accompanied by Chris Gayle, plundered the Delhi Daredevils bowling attack.
Their unbeaten partnership of 204 runs showcased the destructive potential of RCB’s batting lineup. Gayle finished his innings with a remarkable unbeaten score of 128 runs from 62 balls, while Kohli scored 73 off 53 deliveries.
7. David Warner & Naman Ojha – 189* runs (Daredevils vs. Chargers, May 10, 2012)
David Warner and Naman Ojha lit up the stage for the Delhi Daredevils against the Deccan Chargers with their unbeaten partnership of 189 runs. Their relentless assault on the opposition bowling propelled their team to a commanding victory.
Warner scored an unbeaten 109 off 54 balls while Ojha contributed with an unbeaten 64 off 46 balls. Chasing 188 runs to win, the Daredevils wrapped up the game in only 11.5 overs.
Suggested Read: Latest IPL Winners List And Runner-Up (2008 – 2023): Detailed AnalysisÂ
8. David Warner & Jonny Bairstow – 185 runs (SRH vs. RCB, March 31, 2019)
David Warner joined forces with Jonny Bairstow to mesmerize the crowd with their scintillating partnership for the Sunrisers Hyderabad against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Their opening stand of 185 runs set the tone for a memorable outing.
Both Warner and Bairstow scored centuries in this match. Bairstow scored 114 off 56 balls with the help of 12 boundaries and seven maximums. Warner remained unbeaten on 100 off 55 during which he hit five boundaries and as many maximums.Â
9. Chris Lynn and Gautam Gambhir – 184* runs (KKR vs. Gujarat Lions, April 7, 2017)
Chris Lynn and Gautam Gambhir combined forces for the Kolkata Knight Riders against the Gujarat Lions to produce a partnership of 184 unbeaten runs. Gambhir, who was then the captain of KKR, scored 76 off 48. It was Lynn who fired on all cylinders, scoring an unbeaten 93 off 41 at a strike rate of 226.82. KKR won the match by 10 wickets.
Further Read: Highest Individual Score in IPLÂ
10. KL Rahul & Mayank Agarwal – 183 runs (Kings XI vs. RR, September 27, 2020)
In a thrilling encounter against the Rajasthan Royals, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal exhibited exemplary batting prowess for the Kings XI Punjab. Their first-wicket partnership of 183 runs set the stage for a memorable contest in the desert city of Sharjah. KL Rahul scored 69 off 54, while Mayank scored 106 off 50. This helped Punjab chase down 223.
FAQs about Highest Partnership in IPL History
Q) What is the highest partnership in IPL?
A) The highest partnership in IPL history is between Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, who amassed a staggering 229 runs for the second wicket against the Gujarat Lions.
Kohli’s magnificent innings of 109 runs off 55 balls combined with de Villiers’ unbeaten 129 runs off just 52 balls propelled Bangalore to a commanding total of 248 for 3 in their 20 overs.
Q) What is the highest partnership in IPL 2024?Â
A) In IPL 2024, the highest partnership has been achieved by Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan for the Gujarat Titans against the Chennai Super Kings.
They forged an opening stand of 210 runs. Gill’s authoritative innings of 104 runs off 55 balls complemented Sudharsan’s well-played 103 off 52 balls, propelling Gujarat to a total of 231 runs in their 20 overs.
