The Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a stage for thrilling T20 cricket, where intense competition among the 10 teams drives players to set and break records each season. Among these, the highest opening partnerships have often set the pace of a game and played a vital role in defining the innings. Here’s a look at the top-opening partnerships in IPL history.
Highest IPL Opening Partnerships: Top 15 List
| Partnership | Runs | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul – Quinton de Kock (LSG) | 210* | KKR | 2022 |
| David Warner – Jonny Bairstow (SRH) | 185 | RCB | 2019 |
| Chris Lynn – Gautam Gambhir (KKR) | 184* | GL | 2017 |
| KL Rahul – Mayank Agarwal (KXIP) | 183 | RR | 2020 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad – Devon Conway (CSK) | 182 | SRH | 2022 |
| Shane Watson – Faf du Plessis (CSK) | 181* | PBKS | 2020 |
| Devdutt Padikkal – Virat Kohli (RCB) | 181* | RR | 2021 |
| Virat Kohli – Faf du Plessis (RCB) | 172 | SRH | 2023 |
| Chris Gayle – Tillakaratne Dilshan (RCB) | 167 | PW | 2013 |
| Sachin Tendulkar – Dwayne Smith (MI) | 163* | RR | 2012 |
| David Warner – Jonny Bairstow (SRH) | 160 | KXIP | 2020 |
| Murali Vijay – Michael Hussey (CSK) | 159 | RCB | 2011 |
| VVS Laxman – Adam Gilchrist (DC) | 155* | MI | 2008 |
| Devdutt Padikkal – Jos Buttler (RR) | 155 | DC | 2022 |
| David Warner – Wriddhiman Saha (SRH) | 151* | MI | 2020 |
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KL Rahul & Quinton de Kock (LSG)
The Lucknow Super Giants’ duo set the highest opening partnership in IPL history with an unbroken 210-run stand against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022. Quinton de Kock blasted an unbeaten 140 off 70 balls, while KL Rahul contributed 68 from 51 balls. The pair’s partnership helped LSG win a nail-biting game by 2 runs.
David Warner & Jonny Bairstow (SRH)
Warner and Bairstow, combining fierce international rivalry with teamwork, scored a massive 185 runs against RCB in 2019. Bairstow hit 114 off 56 balls, and Warner was unbeaten at 100 off 55 balls, setting a record that stood for 3 years.
Chris Lynn & Gautam Gambhir (KKR)
In 2017, KKR chased down 184 against Gujarat Lions thanks to Chris Lynn (93* off 41) and Gautam Gambhir (76* off 48), finishing the game with 31 balls left. Their 184-run stand is the highest undefeated partnership in the second innings in IPL.
KL Rahul & Mayank Agarwal (KXIP)
In the 2020 edition, Rahul and Agarwal added 183 runs in 16.3 overs against Rajasthan Royals. Agarwal scored a fiery 106 off 50 balls, while Rahul chipped in with 69 off 54, setting Kings XI Punjab up for a total of 223, though RR chased it down.
Ruturaj Gaikwad & Devon Conway (CSK)
Against SRH in 2022, Gaikwad (99) and Conway (85*) teamed up for 182 runs, helping CSK set a target of 202/2. Gaikwad’s near-century earned him Player of the Match honours.
Shane Watson & Faf du Plessis (CSK)
CSK’s seasoned openers Watson (83*) and Du Plessis (87*) chased down 179 against PBKS in 2020 with an 181-run partnership, securing a 10-wicket victory.
Devdutt Padikkal & Virat Kohli (RCB)
Padikkal (101*) and Kohli (72*) chased down 178 against RR at the Wankhede in 2021, with Padikkal reaching his hundred off 52 balls. The win was secured with 21 balls left.
Virat Kohli & Faf du Plessis (RCB)
In 2023, Kohli (100) and Du Plessis (71) scored a 172-run partnership against SRH, chasing 187 with ease. Kohli’s century was pivotal in securing the 8-wicket victory.
Chris Gayle & Tillakaratne Dilshan (RCB)
Gayle’s 175 not out off 66 balls against Pune Warriors in 2013 helped him set a record individual score in T20 cricket, with Dilshan contributing 33 runs to a 167-run partnership.
Sachin Tendulkar & Dwayne Smith (MI)
In 2012, Tendulkar and Smith combined for 163 runs without losing a wicket against RR. Smith’s 87 complemented Tendulkar’s 58, leading MI to a 10-wicket win.
David Warner & Jonny Bairstow (SRH)
The Warner-Bairstow duo scored 160 runs in the 2020 season against KXIP. Bairstow’s 97 off 55 balls and Warner’s 52 set up SRH’s total of 201, which they defended successfully.
Murali Vijay & Michael Hussey (CSK)
In the 2011 final, Vijay (95) and Hussey (63) set up CSK’s score of 205, helping them secure their second IPL title.
VVS Laxman & Adam Gilchrist (DC)
In the inaugural 2008 season, Gilchrist’s blistering 109 off 47 balls helped DC chase 155 against MI. His 155-run stand with Laxman was crucial to their 10-wicket victory.
Devdutt Padikkal & Jos Buttler (RR)
Padikkal and Buttler combined for a 155-run opening partnership against DC in 2022. Buttler’s 116 and Padikkal’s 54 contributed to RR’s total of 222, helping them secure a 15-run victory.
David Warner & Wriddhiman Saha (SRH)
In 2020, Warner (85*) and Saha (58*) led SRH to a comfortable 10-wicket win over MI, securing their place in the playoffs.
These partnerships demonstrate the power of synergy between openers in IPL cricket, where records and thrilling performances define each season.
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