IND vs SA: Top 5 Highest Partnerships In India vs South Africa T20Is

IND vs SA - The 5-match T20I series between India and South Africa is mere days away as both the team would start their preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022. Both these teams didn't have a successful outing in the World T20 2021 and would be eyeing an impactful comeback this year. 

India will host South Africa for a 5-match T20I series starting June 9th (Thursday) at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. With notable names like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma & Jasprit Bumrah rested from the series, players would have a chance to prove their worth and cement their spot for the upcoming T20 World Cup. 

Here are the top 5 highest partnerships in India vs South Africa T20Is. 

#5. Jacques Kallis & Graeme Smith (97 runs)

In the 5th match of World T20 2010, South Africa were chasing a target of 187 against India. After losing opener Loots Bosman in the 5th over, Jacques Kallis and captain Graeme Smith etched a partnership of 97 runs in 64 deliveries for the 2nd wicket. Kallis scored 73 runs off 54 deliveries while Smith managed 36 runs off 28 balls. South Africa lost the match by 14 runs. 

#4. MS Dhoni & Manish Pandey (98* runs)

After being put in to bat first in the 2nd T20I at Centurion in 2018, India lost 4 wickets for 90 runs in 10.4 overs. After that, Manish Pandey & MS Dhoni held the crease as they etched an unbeaten partnership of 98 runs in 56 deliveries for the 5th wicket, taking India to a fight-worthy total. Pandey finished unbeaten on 79 runs in 48 deliveries with 6 fours & 3 sixes while MS scored an unbeaten 52 runs in 28 deliveries with 4 fours & 3 sixes. However, India went on to lose the match by 6 wickets. 

#3. Farhaan Behardien & JP Duminy (105* runs)

Chasing a huge total of 200 runs against India in the 1st T20I at Dharamshala in 2015, South Africa were in a spot of bother after losing two quick wickets in the middle, in the form of AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis. JP Duminy & Farhaan Behardien etched an unbeaten partnership of 105 runs in 55 balls to take their team to victory with 2 balls remaining. JP Duminy scored an unbeaten 68 runs in 34 deliveries with a four & 7 sixes, while Behardies scored 32* runs in 23 balls with 4 fours & a six. 

#2. Colin Ingram & Jacques Kallis (119 runs)

In the only T20I at Johannesburg in 2012, South Africa posted a massive total of 219/4 in 20 overs. Colin Ingram & Jacques Kallis played a major role in this as these two etched a partnership of 119 runs in 80 deliveries for the second wicket. Opener Kallis contributed with 61 runs off 42 deliveries including 5 fours & 2 sixes and Colin Ingram scored 78 runs in 50 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes. South Africa went on to register an 11-run win via the DLS method after rain interfered in the second innings. 

#1. Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma (138 runs)

Also Read: Scorecard

The same T20I which witnessed a 105-run partnership between Behardies & Duminy also saw the highest partnership in T20Is between India & South Africa. After losing Shikhar Dhawan in the 4th over, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli etched a partnership of 138 runs in 75 deliveries for the 2nd wicket. Sharma scored 106 runs in 66 deliveries while Kohli smacked 43 runs in 27 deliveries. However, India went on to lose the match despite posting a target of 200.