Unbreakable Bonds: Kohli and de Villiers’ 229-Run Stand Tops IPL Partnership Records
Patiala, 06 April (Sports Desk)
In cricket, partnerships often define match outcomes, and the Indian Premier League (IPL) thrives on such game-changing alliances. Leading the pack is the iconic 229-run second-wicket stand between Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers against Gujarat Lions in 2016—a record that remains unbroken nearly a decade later. Kohli’s 109, one of his record eight IPL centuries, paired with de Villiers’ unbeaten 129, powered RCB to 248/3 and a crushing 144-run win at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This monumental effort headlines a select group of just six 200-plus partnerships in IPL history.
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The Kohli-de Villiers duo didn’t stop there. They also hold the second-highest IPL partnership with an unbeaten 215-run stand against Mumbai Indians in 2015. De Villiers smashed 133 not out, while Kohli’s unbeaten 82 guided RCB to a 39-run victory. Kohli’s mastery extends further, featuring in three of the IPL’s six 200-plus stands, including an unbeaten 204-run alliance with Chris Gayle against Delhi Daredevils in 2012. Gayle’s blistering 128 not out off 62 balls complemented Kohli’s 73 not out off 53, securing another RCB triumph.
Highest IPL Partnerships by Runs
| Runs | Players | Team | Opposition | Season | Wicket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 229 | Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers | RCB | GL | 2016 | 2nd |
| 215* | Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers | RCB | MI | 2015 | 2nd |
| 210* | KL Rahul, Quinton de Kock | LSG | KKR | 2022 | 1st |
| 210 | Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan | GT | CSK | 2024 | 1st |
| 206 | Shaun Marsh, Adam Gilchrist | KXIP | RCB | 2011 | 2nd |
| 204* | Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle | RCB | DD | 2012 | 2nd |
Other notable 200-plus stands include Shaun Marsh and Adam Gilchrist’s 206 for Kings XI Punjab against RCB in 2011, and two 210-run opening partnerships: KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock for Lucknow Super Giants (2022) and Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan for Gujarat Titans (2024). The latter, an all-Indian effort, is the highest partnership by Indian batters in IPL history. David Warner and Jonny Bairstow’s 185-run opening stand for Sunrisers Hyderabad against RCB in 2019 held the record until it was eclipsed by Rahul and de Kock.
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Highest Partnerships by Wicket
| Wicket | Players | Runs | Team | Opponent | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul | 210* | LSG | KKR | 2022 |
| 1st | Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan | 210 | GT | CSK | 2024 |
| 2nd | Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers | 229 | RCB | GL | 2016 |
| 3rd | Robin Uthappa, Shivam Dube | 165 | CSK | RCB | 2022 |
| 4th | Shimron Hetmyer, Gurkeerat Singh | 144 | RCB | SRH | 2019 |
| 5th | Shakib Al Hasan, Yusuf Pathan | 134* | KKR | GL | 2016 |
| 6th | Ambati Rayudu, Kieron Pollard | 122* | MI | RCB | 2012 |
| 7th | Jagadeesha Suchith, Harbhajan Singh | 100 | MI | PBKS | 2015 |
| 8th | Brad Hodge, James Faulkner | 69 | RR | MI | 2014 |
| 9th | Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph | 88* | GT | MI | 2023 |
| 10th | Shikhar Dhawan, Mohit Rathee | 55* | PBKS | SRH | 2023 |
The oldest surviving partnership record belongs to Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard, whose unbeaten 122-run sixth-wicket stand for Mumbai Indians against RCB in 2012 turned a dire 51/5 into a thrilling chase of 172, clinched with two balls to spare. From Kohli’s enduring brilliance to Gill’s rising star, these partnerships showcase the IPL’s legacy of unforgettable collaborations.
