Highest Opening Partnership in IPL history
Although T20 is the shortest version of cricket, it still follows all the intricacies of the game like any other format. In a T20 match, the opening partnership remains vital for the batting team. A strong opening partnership in T20 can really set the mood and put the opposing team on the defensive. With the chance to play aggressive shots during the first six overs, openers have a lot of freedom and benefit from fielding restrictions. Many times in the IPL, a solid opening partnership has laid the groundwork for the middle-order to take advantage of the bowling later on.
Image Source: indianexpress.com(Photo Credit: x.com/IPL)
Top 5 highest opening partnerships in IPL history
Here’s a look at the Top-5 highest opening partnership in IPL history where partnerships that turned matches into batting masterclasses.
| Rank | Players | Team | Runs | Opposition | Venue |
| 1 | KL Rahul & Quinton de Kock | Lucknow Super Giants | 210* | Kolkata Knight Riders | Navi Mumbai |
| 2 | Shubman Gill & B Sai Sudharsan | Gujarat Titans | 210 | Chennai Super Kings | Ahmedabad |
| 3 | Shubman Gill & B Sai Sudharsan | Gujarat Titans | 205* | Delhi Capitals | Delhi |
| 4 | David Warner & Jonny Bairstow | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 185 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | Hyderabad |
| 5 | Gautam Gambhir & Chris Lynn | Kolkata Knight Riders | 184* | Gujarat Lions | Rajkot |
KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock(210* Runs vs KKR)
During IPL 2022, the openers for Lucknow Super Giants, KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock, dazzled the DY Patil Stadium by putting together a record-breaking 210-run unbeaten partnership against Kolkata Knight Riders. De Kock went all out, hitting 140 runs off 70 balls, including 10 fours and 10 sixes, while captain Rahul served as the ideal anchor with 68 runs off 51 balls. This remains the highest opening partnership in IPL history and is considered one of the most impressive batting performances the league has ever witnessed.
Shubman Gill & B Sai Sudharsan(210 Runs vs CSK)
In IPL 2024, Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan dazzled Ahmedabad with a record-tying 210-run opening partnership for Gujarat Titans against Chennai Super Kings. Both players scored centuries, combining elegant shots with clever aggression, completely dominating the defending champions. It wasn’t merely about hitting big, it was a display of batting excellence that equaled the highest opening partnership in IPL history.
Shubman Gill & B Sai Sudharsan(205 Runs vs DC)
Gill and Sudharsan continued their impressive performance from their record-equaling 2024 match with another huge partnership in 2025. They achieved an unbeaten 205-run partnership for the Gujarat Titans against the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. While chasing a target of 200, Sudharsan scored an outstanding 108 off 61 balls, and Gill contributed 92 off 54 balls, leading to a 10-wicket victory with one over remaining. Their smart running, powerful hitting, and complete control established them as the most formidable opening duo in the league.
David Warner & Jonny Bairstow(185 Runs vs RCB)
Jonny Bairstow and David Warner completely dominated the RCB bowlers during one of the league matches in IPL 2019. As the backbone of the SRH batting lineup, both Bairstow and Warner scored runs effortlessly. They targeted specific bowlers, especially spinners, to gather most of their runs. Warner and Bairstow formed the highest opening partnership in IPL history with an impressive 185-run collaboration. This record-setting partnership enabled SRH to achieve a total of 231/2 in just 20 overs.
Gautam Gambhir & Chris Lynn(184* Runs vs GL)
In IPL 2017, the Gujarat Lions played the Kolkata Knight Riders in Rajkot, Gujarat, on a batting-friendly pitch. The Lions scored 183 runs, but it wasn’t enough. KKR’s opening pair, Chris Lynn and Gautam Gambhir, excelled against the Gujarat bowlers, forming an unbeaten partnership that set a record for the highest opening stand in IPL history at that time. Lynn scored an impressive 93 runs off 41 balls, while Gambhir contributed 76 not out. KKR won by 10 wickets, giving their net run rate a big boost early in the tournament.