Statistics: Four Highest Partnership For India in T20 Internationals

India started their long tour of the United Kingdom (UK) on an expected note, thrashing Ireland in the first Twenty20 International on Wednesday (June 27) by 76 runs at The Village in Dublin.

Asked to bat first in sunny conditions, India got off to an equally blistering start. Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma smashed five sixes apiece and enterprising half-centuries to lay the foundation for a huge total.

Peter Chase (4-35) had something to cheer about in the final over, taking three wickets in four balls – Mahendra Singh Dhoni (11) holing out in the deep, Rohit was clean bowled to see Chase on a hat-trick, and then captain Virat Kohli dismissed for a duck soon after. But that did not stop India from posting a massive 208 for five.

In reply, Ireland could only manage 132 for nine. Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball, taking four for 21.

Ireland opener James Shannon (60 off 35) impressed, striking a maiden T20I fifty, but the rest of batting line-up badly struggled against the Indian bowlers.

The highlight of the game was the massive 160-run stand between Indian openers Dhawan and Rohit.

So, here we take a look at top four biggest partnerships for India in T20Is:

4. 138 – Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma against South Africa, Dharamsala 2015:

South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis’ decision to bowl first looked a like a good one initially as Shikhar Dhawan departed for just three. However, it was definitely not the precursor of the things that were to follow.

Virat Kohli joined Rohit Sharma in the middle and the duo did not take long t attack to the Proteas bowlers at will.

They added 138 runs for the second wicket off just 74 balls before Kohli departed after scoring 43.

The highlight of the partnership was obviously Rohit’s batting. While Kohli scored just 43 during the stand, Rohit went on to complete his maiden Twenty20 International ton. He was dismissed just three balls after Kohli was out but prior to that, he had scored 106.

The game, however, ended on a disappointing note for India as South Africa chased down 199 with two balls remaining.

3. 158 –  Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma against New Zealand, Delhi 2017:

The third highest partnership for India in T20Is came during the Delhi’s T20I against New Zealand in 2017 when Dhawan and Rohit added 158 runs for the first wicket.

The game was a special one for the home team as it was Ashish Nehra’s last international game and the Men in Blue made sure to give the retiring veteran a perfect goodbye.

Asked to bat first, India were off to a sizzling start as Dhawan and Rohit added 158 runs before both departed after scoring 80 each.

Virat Kohli’s quickfire knock then helped India post 202 for three. In reply, New Zealand could only manage 149 for eight.

3. 160 – Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma against Ireland, The Village, 2018:

Ireland skipper Gary Wilson took the brave decision of bowling first on a sunny day and dry pitch, the India openers did not take long to prove him wrong,

Aided by some poor fielding, they smashed entertaining fifties and in the process added 160 runs for the first wicket.

Kevin O’Brien ended the stand by dismissing Dhawan for 74 in the 16th over. Rohit, on the other hand, was out in the last over when he was just three runs short of his third T20I hundred.

Coming to the game, India scored 208 for five before restricting Ireland to 132 for nine.

1. 165 –  Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul against Sri Lanka, Indore 2017:

It was one of those days where everything hit the middle of the bat for Rohit Sharma.

By the time, he departed in the 13th over, he had already scored his second T20I hundred. He scored 118 off just 43 balls with the help of 12 fours and 10 sixes.

During the course of the innings, he added a record 165 with KL Rahul who scored  89 off 49 deliveries.

As a result, India scored 260 for five, their highest-ever total in T20Is. In reply, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 172.