IPL 2021: Top 5 memorable opening partnerships in the history of the tournament
The league has seen some world-class opening pairs in its 13 seasons.
3. Chris Gayle-Virat Kohli
When Chris Gayle arrived in Royal Challengers Bangalore, no one had imagined the kind of effect he will have on the IPL. However, his batting has to be one of the highlights of the cash-rich league. Along with that RCB also took care and developed, Virat Kohli, who ended up being one of the best batsmen the world has ever seen.
Initially, the two shared many successful partnerships for the second wicket when Kohli would come out to bat at no.3. But, with the requirement changing in the upcoming season, RCB skipper Kohli promoted himself to the opening slot and scored a bulk of runs. To watch Gayle and Kohli bat together is something breathtaking for the RCB fans.
One of their famous opening partnerships came in a 15-over match against Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) in Bengaluru. The match had to be shortened due to rain, but Gayle and Kohli came out all guns blazing. By the time the West Indian was dismissed for a 32-ball 73, the partnership had gathered 147 runs in 66 balls. Kohli went on to make 113 runs off 50 balls.
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