Top 5 Highest Opening Partnerships In IPL 2021

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In the T20 format, making quick runs is of utmost importance. Time and again, many world-class batters, under the pressure of getting runs at a higher strike rate lose their wickets. A good opening partnership sets up a team's inning and creates a platform for the rest of the batters to come in and hit from ball one.

As we gear up for the second leg of the IPL 2021 in UAE & Oman starting 19th September'21 - let's take a look at the top 5 partnerships from the first leg of the IPL 2021:

1. Virat Kohli & Devdutt Padikkal (181* runs)

In the 16th match of the IPL 2021, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) openers - Virat Kohli & Devdutt Padikkal - chased down the target of 177 with 21 Balls Remaining. Padikkal (101*) scored his maiden IPL century in which he smashed 11 fours and six sixes, while skipper Kohli (72*), who hit six fours and three sixes, held the other end to take RCB to a 10 wicket win over Rajasthan Royals (RR).

2. Shikhar Dhawan & Prithvi Shaw (138 runs)

In the 2nd match of IPL 2021, Delhi Capitals (DC), courtesy of a 138-run opening partnership between Shikhar Dhawan & Prithvi Shaw, defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by seven wickets. Chasing a target of 188, Dhawan scored 85 off 54 balls with ten fours and two sixes, and Shaw scored 72 off 38 balls with nine fours and three sixes. 

3. Shikhar Dhawan & Prithvi Shaw (132 runs)

In the 25th match of IPL 2021, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squared off against Delhi Capitals (DC). KKR, batting first, scored 154/6. In reply, DC's in-form opening pair Dhawan & Shaw added 132 runs in just 13.5 overs, almost confirming the win. Shaw scored 82 off 41 balls with 11 fours & three sixes, and Dhawan scored 46 off 47 balls with four fours & a six. 

4. Faf du Plessis & Ruturaj Gaikwad (129 runs)

Another century-stand for the opening wicket while chasing came in the 23rd match of the IPL 2021 between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Young & upcoming talent Gaikwad & du Plessis added 129 runs in 13 overs while chasing a target of 171. Gaikwad scored 75 runs off 44 balls smashing 12 fours, while his South African partner du Plessis scored 56 off 38 balls with six fours and a six. The partnership helped CSK to defeat SRH by seven wickets.

5. Mayank Agarwal & KL Rahul (122 runs)

In the 11th match of the IPL 2021 between Punjab Kings (PBKS) & Delhi Capitals (DC), Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul added 122 runs for the opening wicket. Skipper Rahul scored 61 off 51 balls with seven fours and two sixes, while Mayank scored 69 runs off 36 balls consisting of seven fours and four sixes. However, this exciting partnership went in vain as DC chased down the target of 195 runs with ten balls remaining.