Top 5 Highest Partnerships in T20 World Cup Matches

T20 is a breathtaking spectacle of power-hitting, spectacular strokes, and knife-edge finishes. However, while individual brilliance frequently captures the front pages of the newspapers, some partnerships emerge as major figures in the history of the T20 World Cup. Apart from displaying top-class batting talent, these links in activity give a platform for dominance at all levels. Now let’s count down the top 5 highest partnerships of T20 World Cups.

Here are the 5 Highest Partnerships in T20 World Cup Matches

1. Jos Buttler & Alex Hales (England) – 170 vs. India (2022 Semi-Final)

This match made in heaven in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final by England was an almost perfect demonstration of how to open an innings. Chasing a modest target of 160 against India, Jos Buttler and Alex Hales of England swatted the Indian bowling attack around the world. Buttler, known for his cool yet explosive batting, played the anchor role with an unbeaten 80 off 49 balls. 

Hales, in contrast, went on the attack, scoring a breezy 86 from 47 deliveries. With any loose ball pounced on, seven fifties, and a 100-run partnership off the last three overs, it was frenetic stuff. Such jolting blows merged beautifully with these not-quite breaks for oneself: 12 fours and eight sixes in total made the Indian bowlers utterly powerless. With this unbeaten stand of 170 runs, the highest in T20 World Cup history, England decisively defeated India by ten wickets and were already in the final.

2. Quinton de Kock & Rilee Rossouw (South Africa) – 168 vs. Bangladesh (2022 Group Stage)

South Africa’s slapping session batting against Bangladesh in the 2022 T20 World Cup group stage was a somewhat different kind of partnership. After a sharp blow hit their captain Temba Bavuma just early on, Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw forged a searing 168-run spree for the second wicket.

While the left-hander de Kock prudently scored 63, Rossouw cut loose and had a scintillating 109. The two contrasting styles of these batsmen fitted neatly together in every regard, as they worked their way around to every single ball and struck every loose one. Such a blast of partnerships saw South Africa blow up a massive 205/5, which was far beyond Bangladesh’s capacity to chase.

Related Read: India vs Pakistan Cricket Rivalry

3. Mohammad Rizwan & Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 152 vs. India (2021 Group Stage)

The 2021 T20 World Cup began with a breathtaking battle between India and Pakistan. But the storyline unfolded quite differently. In contrast with the usual pattern of such games, Pakistan’s two opening batsmen Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam displayed some outstandingly successful batting synergy. 

An unbeaten stand of 152, also the highest opening partnership for Pakistan in World Cup history, saw them comfortably chase down India’s 151. Their well-calculated attack and running between the wickets excited Pakistan and they coasted to a 10-wicket victory. This partnership sealed a good win for their country and also a historic moment in Pakistan cricket.

4. KL Rahul & Rohit Sharma (India) – 140 vs. Afghanistan (2021 Group Stage)

It’s not a secret that India’s World Cup campaign in 2021 wasn’t their best, but it was still enough for them to defeat Afghanistan with ease. KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma, two of the country’s top-scoring batsmen, seized the opportunity to shine. They formed a fantastic 140-run partnership, driving nails into the coffins of the Afghan bowlers and making one huge step towards scoring a massive total.

Rohit Sharma, whose strokes can’t be spoiled by even the unpleasantly tight artificial grass ‘carpet’ on the Australian tracks, was out in the middle for 74, while KL Rahul played a reasonably low 69. However, this partnership guaranteed India a comfortable win and manifested the Indians’ batting calibre.

5. Gautam Gambhir & Virender Sehwag (India) – 136 vs. Pakistan (2007 Group Stage)

Let’s move back to 2007 and the T20I tournament held in the Rainbow Nation. Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag, the two recognised Indian openers, were in the middle of the fight against their traditionally mightiest opponents, and they took all possible pleasure in teeing off against them as openers. As a result, the two were unstoppable, scoring a tremendous opening partnership of 136 runs.

Sehwag, in his usual bold and compelling manner, was out for 75 off 44 deliveries, whereas Gambhir estimated all the risks skillfully and scored 52. The Pakistani bowlers were smashed into smithereens, with almost nothing working for them, and the tone was set for India’s overall tournament victory.

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