When batsmen get going in the shortest format of the game, it is tough to mend the overflowing dam.

Explosive batting and stunning display of partnership are often considered as major reasons behind the popularity of IPL. Fans have enjoyed numerous brilliant partnerships, and there will possibly be more in the ongoing season. Here’s listing five highest partnerships in IPL history between 2008 to 2023.

204 – Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Delhi Daredevils

Batting first against Delhi, Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle took Royal Challengers Bangalore to 215, thanks to the unbeaten 204-run partnership between the two batting powerhouses. It was an exhibition of boundary hitting with Gayle’s (128*) brute force at one end and Kohli’s (73) class at the other. This was one of the best performances in IPL 2012.

Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle celebrating after century partnership

206 – Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh, Kings XI Punjab vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore

With players like Chirs Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in the opposition camp, Punjab were determined to score big. In IPL 2011, after losing the wicket of Paul Valthaty early on, Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh joined forces to accomplish the mission.

The Australian duo took apart the RCB bowlers with some brutal hitting. Gilchrist smoked 106 off 55 balls with nine maximums while Shaun Marsh continued his consistent run and remained unbeaten on 79. Gilchrist’s innings included 8 fours and 9 sixes.

The star-studded RCB batting line-up could only manage 121 runs under the scoreboard pressure, with Piyush Chawla picking up four wickets for the Kings XI Punjab.

Adam Gilchrist celebrating century with Shaun Marsh

210 - Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul, Lucknow Super Giants vs. Kolkata Knight Riders

The third best partnership in the history of IPL was shared between KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock in 2022. Coming to bat first, both the openers stitched a scintillating partnership of 210 runs against KKR at DY Patil Stadium. The Proteas batter remained unbeaten on 140 off just 70 deliveries while KL Rahul scored 68 off 51 balls. Even after Rinku Singh’s heroics, KKR lost the match by 2 runs.

Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul in action for LSG

215* – Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Mumbai Indians

When AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli fire together, may God save the bowlers. Both AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli went all out against Mumbai Indians in a game when Chris Gayle misfired and added 215 runs between them, without either of them getting dismissed.

Kohli and de Villiers scored 82 and 133 respectively, as they complemented each other shot for shot during the 215-run partnership. The proteas batter’s 59-ball knock included 19 fours and 4 sixes. Harbhajan Singh and Hardik Pandya ended up giving away 81 runs off their five overs combined.

Chasing 235, the Mumbai Indians got to 196, but still fell a good 19 runs short.

Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in action against Mumbai Indians

229 – Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Gujarat Lions

Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers feature again in the list, holding the record for the highest partnership in IPL history.

This time, Gujarat Lions’ bowlers bore the brunt of Kohli and de Villiers’ attack. Kohli and de Villiers scored 109 and 129 respectively, with the former Indian captain finally getting dismissed in the final over of the innings. AB de Villiers’s 52-ball knock had 12 sixes and 10 fours.

Chasing 249, the Lions were bowled out for a paltry 104 as Bangalore romped home by 144 runs.

AB de Villiers congratulating Virat Kohli after century

The one common thing among these extraordinary partnerships is the name of former Indian captain Virat Kohli. The ex-RCB skipper has been involved in three of the top five highest partnerships in the list.