Top 5 highest partnerships for India in a chase in T20Is ft. Yashasvi Jaiswal & Shubman Gill
India crushed Zimbabwe in the fourth T20I thanks to a dominant opening partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Shubman Gill. Jaiswal and Gill chased down Zimbabwe's target of 153 with ease, putting on an unbeaten 156 runs together.
This impressive partnership secured a convincing victory for India in just 15.2 overs. It is also the second-highest run-chase partnership for India in T20I history. As a result, the visitors have now claimed an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match T20I series on the back of a scintillating 10-wicket victory.
The duo has been mighty impressive batting together, putting up not just one but two terrific partnerships together in this format.
On that note, let us take a look at the top five highest partnerships for India in a chase in T20Is.
5 highest partnerships for India in a chase in T20Is
#5 Virat Kohli and Manish Pandey (119 vs Sri Lanka, 2017)
In the Only T20I against Sri Lanka in 2017 at Colombo, the hosts put up a tricky total of 170/7 on the board batting first.
The visitors were under some pressure, losing both their openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul inside the powerful during the chase. However, with then-skipper Virat Kohli at the crease, the game was far from done.
Rightfully known as the 'chase master', Kohli displayed his class, bringing out his best in a pressure situation. He smashed a 54-ball 82, striking a touch over 150. Manish Pandey joined him at number four and struck an unbeaten 36-ball 51.
The duo stitched together a 119-run stand as India went on to win the game by seven wickets in the end.
#4 Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul (123 vs England, 2018)
England, batting first in the opening T20I at Manchester in 2018, posted a modest total of 159 for the loss of eight wickets.
Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma opened the batting for the visitors in the run-chase. The start wasn't bright as they lost Dhawan (4) early. KL Rahul then joined hands with Rohit.
The duo batted England out of the game from there on, adding 123 runs for the second wicket. Rahul slammed a sensational unbeaten century (101) off just 54 deliveries while Rohit (32) batted sensibly to hold the fort at the other end.
The result went in favor of the visitors as they overhauled the target in 18.2 overs with eight wickets to spare.
#3 Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant (130 vs West Indies, 2018)
In a thrilling T20I back in 2018, Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant stitched together a crucial partnership against West Indies at Chepauk. West Indies batted first and set a target of 182 runs, thanks to Nicholas Pooran's unbeaten half-century (53).
India's chase began poorly, losing two wickets for just 45 runs. However, the arrival of Rishabh Pant at the crease alongside Shikhar Dhawan turned the tables.
Dhawan struck a brilliant 92 runs off just 62 balls, while Pant was equally impressive with his 58 runs from 38 deliveries.
Their 130-run stand for the third wicket put the hosts in a commanding position. Though the game went down to the wire, India eventually clinched a dramatic victory on the last ball, winning by 6 wickets.
#2 Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill (156* vs Zimbabwe, 2024)
In the 4th T20I of the ongoing series against Zimbabwe in Harare, Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Shubman Gill guided the visitors to a series-winning victory.
The hosts could only manage to pile on a total of 152/7 after batting first. Opening the batting, Gill and Jaiswal made absolute light work of the chase, taking matters into their own hands.
The duo left the Zimbabwe bowlers clueless, putting on an unbeaten 156-run stand to take India over the finish line in just 15.2 overs. Jaiswal led from the front with an unbeaten 93 off 53, while Gill supported him ably with his unbeaten 39-ball 58.
#1 Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill (165 vs West Indies, 2023)
The Indian openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill put on a batting masterclass in the 4th T20I against West Indies in Lauderhill last August.
Chasing a target of 179, the duo stitched together a match-winning opening partnership of 165 runs. Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 84 runs off just 51 balls, while Gill smashed a quickfire 77 off 47 deliveries.
Riding on the strong foundation laid by their openers, India comfortably chased down the target in just 17 overs. They lost only one wicket on their way to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory.