Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis produced a sensational batting display and scored 181 runs together at the top of the order to demolish KXIP recently in the IPL 2020. This mammoth partnership of 181 runs by Watson and du Plessis is the fourth highest in the IPL for the first wicket.
IPL 2020: Here we look at the top five opening partnerships in IPL History:-
5. 167 runs: C Gayle and T Dilshan, RCB vs PWI, IPL 2013:
This was the time when the Universe Boss was at the peak of his batting prowess. And then he was teamed up with the fearless T Dilshan as his opening partner in the IPL. And as expected the duo of Gayle and Dilshan emerged as one of the most destructive opening pairs for RCB.
Gayle brought out his best against the helpless bowling attack of Pune Warriors India in 2013 as he smashed the highest individual score in IPL: 175 runs off 66 balls. And as Gayle went berserk, Dilshan played second fiddle and kept the other end guarded.
The duo scored 167 runs for the first wicket in 13.4 overs. But what was more staggering was, Dilshan’s contribution to the partnership was only 33 runs off 36 balls. So all the heavy lifting was done by the big man Chris Gayle.
4. 181* runs: S Watson and Faf du Plessis, CSK vs KXIP, IPL 2020:
After losing three games on the Trott, CSK was under immense pressure as they met KXIP in IPL 2020. And as Punjab scored 178 runs on a tricky Dubai surface, CSK’s troubled intensified. But as they say, cometh the hour cometh the man, once again Shane Watson rose to the occasion to help CSK bounce back and that too in style.
Watson along with the in-form du Plessis played the game of caution in the first few over before going all out against Punjab bowlers in the middle overs. Watson at point smashed Ravi Bishnoi for a 102 meter six, the longest of the season.
The duo of Watson and du Plessis remained unbeaten and registered a massive 10-wicket win by scoring 181 runs in 17.4 overs. Watson scored 83 runs off 53 balls while du Plessis scored 87 runs off 53 balls.
3. 183 runs: KL Rahul and M Agarwal, KXIP vs RR, IPL 2020:
Kings XI Punjab openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal made the most of short boundaries and a flat Sharjah pitch and clobbered the vulnerable bowling attack of Rajasthan Royals in 2020. The Punjab opening pair scored 183 runs for the first wicket in 16.3 overs.
KL Rahul scored a fluent inning of 69 runs off 54 balls and he perished in the 17th over. But Agarwal continued with his onslaught and went on to complete his hundred. He scored 106 runs off 50 balls.
Courtesy of this mammoth opening stand, Punjab piled up 223 runs in their 20 overs. However, all these efforts went in vain as Sanju Samson scorer a brilliant 85 off 42 balls for Royals, and then Rahul Tewatia happened. Such of the impact of Tewatia’s 31-ball 53 run knock that it even overshadowed Agarwal’s hundred and his brilliant opening stand of 183 with KL Rahul.
2. 184* runs: G Gambhir and Chris Lynn, KKR vs Guj Lions, IPL 2017:
The left-hand Aussie opener Chris Lynn unleashed his wrath in the IPL as he clobbered 93 runs off 41 balls against Gujarat Lions in 2017. Chasing a stiff total of 184 runs, Lynn went all guns blazing and made a mockery of the chase.
KKR’s skipper Gambhir gave him able support from the other end and remained unbeaten. He scored 76 runs off 48 balls and KKR completed the chase in just 14.5 overs and the duo of Gambhir and Lynn registered the highest opening partnership in IPL of that time.
1. 185 runs: D Warner and J Bairstow, SRH vs RCB, IPL 2019:
Warner and Bairstow are arguably the most destructive opening pair in recent times and they showed how lethal they can get by hammering 185 runs in just 16.2 overs against RCB in 2019. And in the process, both of them scored hundreds, the only instance of both openers scoring centuries in this list.
Warner although a powerful hitter of the ball, plays the long game by taking minimum risks in the beginning. He did the same against and allowed Bairstow to take the centre stage. The England batsman didn’t disappoint and in the partnership of 185 runs, he scored 114 runs off 56 balls. He was the first one to get out while Warner carried his bat and finished on 100 runs off 55 balls. Fantasy Cricket Sites
