Top 5 Virat Kohli-Ajinkya Rahane partnerships in Tests
Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli have formed one of the most memorable batting partnerships in Indian Test cricket, combining remarkable skill, mutual understanding, and the shared ability to thrive under pressure. Rahane, who was once India's vice-captain, recently reminisced about his favorite partnerships with Kohli.
Known for their consistency, Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane rank among the top five Indian pairs in terms of runs scored together in Test cricket, having amassed 3,661 runs in 67 innings with an impressive average of 56.32. Their partnership has produced several memorable stands, which showcase their remarkable synergy on the field.
Recalling their camaraderie, Rahane highlighted a memorable stand during the 2014 series in Australia, their 262-run partnership at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
"I enjoyed batting with Virat Kohli a lot. We appreciate each other and complement each other during the batting. He made some great partnerships for India. I enjoyed batting with him. My favourite partnership with Virat Kohli was a 260 odd runs partnership in Australia in the 2014 Test series," Ajinkya Rahane said during his recent interview with Curly Tales.
That said, let us take a look at the top five Kohli-Rahane partnerships in Test cricket.
Top 5 Virat Kohli-Ajinkya Rahane partnerships in Tests
#5 178 runs vs South Africa, Pune (2019)
The Pune Test against South Africa in 2019 saw a brilliant Virat Kohli-Ajinkya Rahane partnership, where they put up 178 runs for the fourth wicket. After Mayank Agarwal’s century laid a solid foundation, Kohli and Rahane added to the scoreboard, with Kohli making an unbeaten 254, while Rahane scored a composed 59. This partnership lifted India to a massive total of 601/5, putting immense pressure on South Africa.
#4 222 runs vs Bangladesh, Hyderabad (2017)
Kohli and Rahane’s partnership was once again on full display in a one-off Test against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2017. The pair added 222 runs for the fourth wicket, with Kohli inching toward a double century before lunch on Day 2. Kohli scored a stunning 191, while Rahane played a key role, contributing 82 off 133 balls before being dismissed in spectacular fashion. This partnership enabled India to amass a substantial first-innings total, setting the tone for a comfortable win over Bangladesh.
#3 159 runs vs England, Nottingham (2018)
During the 2018 England tour, Kohli and Rahane delivered another critical stand in the third Test at Nottingham. England's bowling attack had left India in a precarious position at 82/3, as Kohli and Rahane were tasked with stabilizing the innings. They put up a 159-run partnership that saw Kohli fall short of a century at 97, while Rahane contributed a solid 81. Their partnership guided India to a total of 307/6 by the end of Day 1, ultimately helping them set a strong foundation. Kohli and Rahane’s calculated approach frustrated the England bowlers, who struggled to break their rhythm.
#2 365 runs vs New Zealand, Indore (2016)
In 2016, during the third Test against New Zealand in Indore, Kohli and Rahane joined forces once again to deliver a record-breaking performance. The duo crafted a mammoth 365-run partnership for the fourth wicket, the highest by an Indian pair in that position, which saw Kohli scoring a massive 211 and Rahane missing out on a double century, falling for 188. Their effort took India’s score to a towering 557/5, after which they declared. This partnership thoroughly put the New Zealand bowling attack on the backfoot, with both batters scoring freely across the ground.
#1 262 runs vs Australia, Melbourne (2014)
In what Ajinkya Rahane considers his favorite partnership with the former Indian captain, he and Kohli crafted a majestic 262-run stand during the third Test in Melbourne in 2014. With India at 147/3 and trailing Australia’s massive total by 383 runs, Kohli and Rahane came together under immense pressure.
They displayed their signature resilience, countering Australia's fiery pace attack with remarkable poise. Kohli was involved in a heated exchange with Mitchell Johnson, which seemed to fuel his determination as he went on to score a commanding 169 off 272 balls. Ajinkya Rahane, meanwhile, scored an equally impressive 147 off 171 deliveries. Their partnership helped India put up a total of 465, drawing the game and marking India’s first Test draw in Australia in six years.