Top 5 highest partnerships by India in T20I cricket

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have scored the most partnership runs for India in T20I cricket.

T20 cricket is known for its fast-paced nature, where quickfire knocks and explosive partnerships are invaluable. There are times when batters form long partnerships that completely shift the momentum of the game. A long partnership not only helps the batting teams post massive totals but also makes the recovery for the opponents very difficult.

The current ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions, India have showcased their immense power in batting department time and again. With an impressive mix of experienced batters and exciting youngsters, the Men in Blue have often showcased their ability to build monumental stands in the shortest format of the game.

In this article, we dive into the top five highest partnerships put up by Indian batters in T20I cricket.

5. KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma – 165 runs vs Sri Lanka, Indore, 2017

KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma lit up the 2nd T20I against Sri Lanka in 2017 with an opening stand of 165 runs. Sri Lanka, having opted to bowl first, were blown away by Rohit’s blistering 118 off 43 balls. During this innings, Rohit achieved the remarkable feat of scoring the fastest T20I century by an Indian in just 35 balls. Rahul also played a key role, in the partnership scoring 89 off 49 balls.

This destructive partnership set India up for a commanding total of 260/5. Sri Lanka, in response, could only manage 172, handing India an 88-run victory.

4. Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav – 173 runs vs Bangladesh, Hyderabad, 2024

In the final T20I of Bangladesh’s tour of India in 2024, Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav joined forces for a mammoth 173-run partnership for the second wicket. Bangladesh, after being put into the field, started their bowling innings in an amazing fashion dismissing Indian opener Abhishek Sharma cheaply for the score of four.

Samson, joined by Suryakumar, hammered his way to a 40-ball century, registering the second-fastest hundred by an Indian. Suryakumar contributed with valuable 75 off 35 balls.

The duo’s efforts were pivotal for India in posting a record-breaking total of 297, the highest total by a test-playing nation in T20I cricket. Bangladesh, in response, could only manage 164, handing India a massive 133-run win.

3. Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson – 176 runs vs Ireland, Dublin, 2022

In 2022, during the second T20I against Ireland in Dublin, Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson put up a massive 176-run stand for the second wicket. Hooda starred with a blistering century, scoring 104 off 57 balls, while Samson contributed with 77 off 42 balls.

Their partnership powered India to huge a total of 225/7. Ireland, in response, mounting a brave chase, fell short by a narrow margin of just four runs. Hooda’s knock earned him Player of the Match award.

2. Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh – 190* runs vs Afghanistan, Bengaluru, 2024

In the final match of the bilateral series against Afghanistan in 2024, Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh combined to make an unbeaten 190-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

After early blows from Afghanistan, India were under trouble with score reading 22/4, but Rohit’s 121 off 69 balls and Rinku’s 69 off 39 balls helped them recover and post a total of 212/4. The game saw an exciting ending with Afghanistan tying the game in their chase. The match went into two Super Overs to see India win the match later.

1. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma – 210* runs vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2024

With their 210-run unbeaten stand against South Africa in Jo’burg, Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma hold the record for the highest partnership by an Indian pair in T20I cricket. This is the third-highest partnership by a players from a Full Member nation the T20Is.

Batting first, Samson and Abhishek Sharma gave India a solid start with 73 runs in the powerplay. Then Abhishek’s wicket brought in Tilak Varma and he combined with Samson to demolish the South African bowlers.

Varma raised his second T20I ton and Samson his third. The left-hander scored 120* off 47 and the right-hander scored 109* off 56 as India finished with 283/1.

(All stats updated till 15th November, 2024)

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