There have been many thrilling matches since the Indian Premier League was established in 2008. Fans love to watch two batters tearing apart the bowlers of their opponents, and then stitching huge stands between them. This is a common sight in T20 cricket.
In reality, such matches are often one-sided, with the opposing team struggling under pressure, and ultimately settling for a lackluster performance, unable to reach the massive target. In the early days of T20 cricket, it was uncommon for batters to reach 200 runs. Today, this has become more common.
Virat Kohli is one of the names that stand out when it comes to batters who have stitched together huge stands with their batting partners. Former Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli has dominated the IPL on numerous occasions. His name will appear thrice in the list of pairs that have scored 200+ runs.
Top five pairs of IPL players with 200+ run stands
1. Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers- 229
The two destructive RCB batters have created the highest run partnership ever in the IPL. They created this in 2016 when they played against the Gujarat Lions, a newly-admitted team that is now no longer around.
After the team was told to bat first, Kohli, and de Villiers both smashed their respective hundreds. After 11 overs they began to send the ball flying.
Mr 360 scored 129 off 52 balls. Kohli was not the aggressor initially, but after three overs, he became something else. He was only 52 from 41 balls at the time, but went on a rampage in the dying overs. After playing more than 12 deliveries, Kohli completed a spectacular century and racked up a monstrous 248, 3 in their 20-overs.
2. Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers- 215*
The dangerous pair also ranks second. Mumbai Indians may be celebrating the departure of Chris Gayle, but their star pacer Lasith Malinga couldn’t match Kohli and de Villiers. They scored 215 runs between them.
De Villers was unbeaten with 133 runs, his highest run in the IPL. He hit four sixes, and 19 boundaries. Kohli, on the other hand, was not out. They helped RCB score 235 runs in just 20 overs, and the hosts fell 39 runs short at the Wankhede Stadium.
3. Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul- 210*
Lucknow Super Giants announced their arrival in the year 2022 and warned everyone not to take them lightly. The two bowlers of Kolkata Knight Riders were demoralized by the duo, who scored the highest opening stand ever in the cash-rich League.
The Proteas were unbeaten with 140 runs, 10 fours, and an equal number sixes. KL Rahul, the LSG captain, scored 68 runs from 51 balls.
4. Adam Gilchrist, Shaun Marsh- 206
The captain of Kings XI Punjab, Adam Gilchrist, and his fellow Australian Shaun Marsh went into a carnage-mode to slay RCB. They also formed a mammoth 206 run stand for the 2nd wicket in 2011.
They smashed 232/8, and then dominated Kohli’s team by 111 runs. Marsh contributed 79* from 49 but at one point he hit 30 runs against Johan van der Wath.
5. Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli- 204*
Virat Kohli shares many batting stands along with de Villiers. The duo scored 204 runs unbeaten against Delhi Daredevils in 2012.
Gayle was in his second season at the RCB, after he joined the team as a replacement to Dirk Nannes. The left-handed tall batsman, who has six centuries to his name, can slam the bowlers without having to run between wickets. He also has a record for slamming the ball out of the park.
Gayle was not out after 128 balls with 7 fours and 13 monster sixes. Kohli collected an unbeaten score of 75 from only 53 balls. This helped RCB reach 215/1 and win the match by 21 run.
