On This Day In 2016: RCB’s Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers Smash Record with Highest T20 Partnership

The duo of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers set an incredible record on May 14, 2016, in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Two of the finest batters, Kohli and De Villiers, have showcased their supreme batting in innumerable IPL matches over the years. They formed a formidable partnership for Royal Challengers Bengaluru on multiple occasions.

Nearly eight years ago, the two lived up to their monikers as the world’s most prolific batters by producing a record-breaking partnership. During an IPL clash between RCB and the Gujarat Lions, Kohli and De Villiers forged the highest stand for the second wicket in T20 cricket and also the all-time highest partnership in the history of IPL.

Playing at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru RCB were batting first. Chris Gayle’s dismissal in the fourth over made way for AB de Villiers. |The South African batter joined Virat Kohli to produce what would go on to become an epic partnership.

Initially, Kohli played a supporting role to De Villiers who notched his half-century facing 25 deliveries. In the 16th over, De Villiers hit 23 runs facing Praveen Kumar before completing his ton off 43 balls.

Virat Kohli then joined in the action in the 18th and 19th overs. Kohli hit four sixes in an over to reach 95. Seeing his partner nearing the 100-run mark, AB de Villiers quickly rotated his strike on the final over’s first ball.

Kohli understood the assignment perfectly as he sent two sixes flying to secure a memorable ton. He breached the three-digit mark off just 53 balls.

Virat Kohli was, eventually, dismissed on the penultimate ball of the innings, putting an end to a mammoth 229-run partnership. It was Praveen Kumar who claimed his wicket, thanks to a catch from Dwayne Bravo.

Kohli returned to the dressing room playing a sublime knock of 109 off 55 balls.

AB de Villiers, on the other hand, ended the innings with an unbeaten knock of 129 runs off 52 balls.

This incredible showcase of batting skills from the two enabled the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to bag an emphatic win by 144 runs.