IPL: Highest partnerships for 9th or lower wicket
The Indian Premier League has witnessed several memorable partnerships between top-order batters during its illustrious history. However, there have been times when the lower-order batters also display their grit and determination in tough situations for their side. On that note, we list the highest partnership for the ninth wicket or lower in IPL history.
43 – Sam Curran and Imran Tahir (Chennai Super Kings)
Chennai Super Kings’ top order was made to look foolish when they took on arch-rivals Mumbai Indians in the 41st match of IPL 2020 in Sharjah. Mumbai’s star Kiwi pacer Trent Boult and India’s Jasprit Bumrah ran riot with the new ball, restricting the Yellow Army to 5/21 in the powerplay. They were all at sea against the Mumbai bowlers, and it was young English all-rounder Sam Curran, who came to his side’s rescue with a combative half-century. Curran stitched a fighting 43-run stand with veteran South African spinner Imran Tahil for the ninth wicket, sparing the blushes of CSK.
55 – Shikhar Dhawan and Mohit Rathee (Punjab Kings)
Punjab Kings skipper Shikhar Dhawan played one of the innings of the tournament in the ongoing 16th edition of IPL when his side squared off against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Although the Punjab skipper was in prime touch, he kept losing wickets from the other end, until he took matters into his own hands. Dhawan put his foot on the accelerator after Punjab lost their ninth wicket, stitching an invaluable 55-run stand with Mohit Rathee for the last wicket.
88* – Rashid Khan and Alzarri Joseph (Gujarat Titans)
Mumbai Indians were in a commanding position after they made light work of Gujarat Titans’ top order, defending a mammoth total of 218 runs. With the result being a foregone conclusion, the five-time champions took their foot off the pedal. But they were given an almighty scare by Titans’ star Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan. Rashid, who smashed an explosive half-century, amassed a mind-boggling 79 runs in just 32 deliveries, stitching an 88-run partnership with Alzarri Joeseph to reduce the margin of their defeat.
