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Gujarat Titans (GT) extended their dominance in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 with a convincing 39-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic Eden Gardens. The win not only reinforced their position at the top of the points table but also showcased their signature strategy, begin cautiously, read the pitch, and accelerate smartly in the middle and death overs. GT’s tactical clarity and composed execution have been the hallmark of their campaign so far, and this game was no different.
Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan deliver yet another masterclass
On a pitch that offered variable bounce and some turn, Gujarat’s opening duo, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, put on a batting clinic. The pair stitched together a magnificent 114-plus run partnership, laying the perfect foundation for a strong total. This was the sixth century stand between the duo, underlining their chemistry and consistency at the top. Their partnership propelled GT to a formidable 198/3 in 20 overs, a challenging score on a tricky surface. Notably, this latest stand elevated Gill and Sudharsan into the elite list of top five partnerships with the most 100+ stands in IPL history, marking a significant achievement for the Titans’ opening pair. While Gill played a captain’s knock filled with elegant strokeplay, Sudharsan rotated the strike efficiently and punished anything loose, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking.
Top 5 pairs with the most century partnerships in the IPL history
5. Shubman Gill & Sai Sudharsan – Gujarat Titans’ Modern Match-Winners
Since Titans’ debut in 2022, Gill and Sudharsan have emerged as one of IPL’s most dependable young opening pairs, recording 6 century stands in 6 innings. With 830 runs at an average of 138.33 and a high of 210 runs, they’ve powered GT’s batting core. They score at a brisk 10.73 RPO across 77.2 overs, often combining risk-free cricket with acceleration. Gill’s elegance and timing blend perfectly with Sudharsan’s composure and hunger for big scores. Their partnership has brought calmness to GT’s innings and allowed the middle order to play freely. Often under pressure, they’ve delivered big opening stands on difficult tracks. Their rise reflects the new generation’s readiness to dominate, and their chemistry is becoming central to Gujarat’s success in the IPL.
4. Virat Kohli & Faf du Plessis – Class and Consistency at the Top
Since 2022, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis have formed a formidable opening combination for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), putting together 6 century partnerships in just 6 innings. They have scored 815 runs, with a highest stand of 172, showcasing elite understanding and match awareness. Averaging 135.83 at a rate of 9.31 RPO, they’ve been crucial in shaping strong RCB starts.
Faf’s calm leadership and technical finesse have perfectly meshed with Kohli’s aggression and intent. Facing 87.3 overs, they’ve consistently taken RCB beyond the powerplay unscathed and accelerated later. Their partnership is marked by mutual respect, smart strike rotation, and punishing bad deliveries. Together, they’ve made RCB’s top order more balanced and robust than ever. Their performances have re-established RCB as serious playoff contenders in recent seasons.
3. David Warner & Shikhar Dhawan – The Left-Handed Engine of SRH
Between 2014 and 2017, the left-handed opening pair of David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan provided Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) with six century partnerships, totaling 729 runs in 6 innings. Their average of 145.80 and a peak stand of 139 runs made them one of the most consistent opening duos of their time. Warner’s attacking flair and Dhawan’s grace and timing complemented each other seamlessly.
In a relatively conservative batting lineup, they often set aggressive tones early on, facing 75.4 overs at a 9.63 RPO. The pair was instrumental in SRH’s rise as a dominant force, including their 2016 IPL title run. Their left-handed combination disrupted bowling plans and exploited fielding restrictions smartly. With stability and explosiveness in equal measure, they anchored many strong starts for SRH.
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2. Virat Kohli & Chris Gayle – The Power and Precision Combo
From 2011 to 2017, Kohli and Chris Gayle formed one of the most explosive opening pairs in IPL history, registering 9 century partnerships. They tallied 1181 runs in 9 innings with a highest stand of 204 runs*, often laying the foundation for RCB’s most memorable victories. The average of 147.62 and a run rate of 10.52 showcased their aggression and synergy. Gayle’s brute force and Kohli’s sharp game awareness proved devastating for opposition bowlers.
They faced a total of 112.1 overs, frequently batting deep into innings and accelerating powerfully at the death. Their camaraderie was evident in the way they rotated strike between big hits. Despite being two very different batters, their styles complemented each other brilliantly. Together, they made the RCB top order a nightmare for any bowling attack.
1. Virat Kohli & AB de Villiers – RCB’s undisputed dynamic duo
Kohli and AB de Villiers redefined partnership synergy at RCB between 2013 and 2020, producing an unmatched 10 century stands. Together, they amassed a staggering 1407 runs in just 10 innings, including a record high of 229 runs. Their average partnership of 201.00 is the highest in IPL history for any pair with over five innings. The duo combined flamboyance with consistency, dismantling even the best bowling attacks. De Villiers’ 360-degree hitting perfectly complemented Kohli’s classical style, making their partnership one of the most feared. They batted for over 125.2 overs with a blazing strike rate of 11.22 RPO, turning matches on their head with ease. What stood out was their ability to deliver under pressure. Whether chasing or setting targets, the Kohli-ABD pair was always RCB’s biggest asset.
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