India has had a history of producing world-class batsmen. There have been several eras and generations which have witnessed several world-class Indian batters bat together. Thus, this has led to several iconic and memorable partnerships. Partnerships are crucial in cricket as only when the two batsmen develop a partnership can they keep the scoreboard moving and get the runs. Here, you can find some of the exciting partnership records in cricket.
There have been several games changing partnerships in the history of Indian cricket. Many of these partnerships have helped India win matches that are cherished even today.
Today, we shall be taking a look at the top 5 highest partnerships for India in Test cricket.
5) 365 – Virat Kohli & Ajinkya Rahane vs New Zealand at Indore, 2016
This happens to be one of the most recent and everlasting partnerships. Despite already winning the series, Kohli’s men didn’t take it lightly as they managed to beat New Zealand 3-0 and complete a whitewash. These partnerships included captain Kohli as well as the vice-captain Rahane.
At 100 for 3, India wasn’t cruising per say, but the captain and vice-captain ensured that India eventually dominated the Kiwis. They built an epic partnership of 365. While Virat Kohli scored his second double century (read about all his double centuries here) before getting out and ending their association, Ajinkya Rahane narrowly missed on his first by just 12 runs as he ended up scoring 188. This was the dawn of a new era of Indian cricket.
4) 370 – Murali Vijay & Cheteshwar Pujara vs Australia at Hyderabad, 2013
When it comes to series victories at home for India, only a few would be able to topple this series. It was the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2013, which saw Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara notch up the third-highest partnerships in the history of Indian cricket. Although India managed to whitewash Australia in this series, this partnership remained one of the major highlights of the series (apart from this record though).
After losing Sehwag earlier in the innings, Pujara joined Vijay, and two of them scored a huge 370-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. However, more than 100 overs and 370 runs later, the superb partnership between two of India’s batsmen ended with Murali Vijay’s dismissal for an elegant 167. Cheteshwar Pujara completed his double century soon after his partner got out, but he, too, perished for 204.
3) 376 – VVS Laxman & Rahul Dravid vs Australia at Kolkata, 2001
It is safe to call this partnership between Laxman and Dravid one of the greatest comebacks of all time. When was the last time you saw a team winning after being asked to follow on? The home team was dismissed for 171 in their 1st innings while responding to Australia’s 445. They were looking much better in their 2nd innings, but when skipper Sourav Ganguly fell for 48 with India on 232 for 4, there was a lot to worry about. It was then when Dravid joined hands with the very, very special Laxman to bring up a record 376 runs for the 5th wicket. The partnership turned out to be the platform for an unbelievable 171-run victory for India in the Test and tilted the momentum of the series in India’s favour.
2) 410 – Virender Sehwag & Rahul Dravid vs Pakistan at Lahore, 2006
This is a perfect example of what would happen if fire and ice combined forces. The only thing one can expect when an unstoppable force and an immovable object join hands is carnage. In 2006, Sehwag and David notched up the second-highest partnerships in the history of Indian cricket.
The 410- run stand came after the hosts Pakistan scored a whopping 679 for 7 in their 1st innings thanks to centuries from Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi and Kamran Akmal. It was then when Viru joined forces with the wall. At the same time, Sehwag scored 254 off just 247 balls as well. Another important point to be noted is the fact that this was an opening partnership.
1) 413 – Pankaj Roy & Vinoo Mankad vs New Zealand at Madras, 1956
One of the oldest pairs in Indian cricket, Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy, holds the record for the highest partnership by an Indian pair even today. This chapter of Indian cricket took place way back in 1956. The two of them put up a 413-run partnership against New Zealand at Madras (now Chennai).
It is an opening partnership record that stayed for 52 years. It was only in the year 2008 when South Africa’s Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie broke it. India was batting first after winning the toss, and thus, India witnessed its greatest partnership ever as Mankad and Roy went on to score 231 and 173 each. India went on to win the match, bundling the Kiwis for 209 and 219 in their two innings, respectively.
