Highest Partnerships Against DC in IPL: Record Stands

Delhi Capitals have featured in the IPL since the inaugural 2008 season, originally playing as Delhi Daredevils before adopting their current name. Across that long history, Delhi have fielded many high-quality bowlers, including Glenn McGrath, Morne Morkel, Amit Mishra, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Kuldeep Yadav, Mitchell Starc and Axar Patel.

Even strong bowling attacks can struggle when two batters settle together in T20 cricket. Several opposition pairs have built huge stands against Delhi, combining smart strike rotation with sustained boundary-hitting.

The record belongs to Gujarat Titans openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, who added an unbeaten 205 runs against Delhi Capitals in 2025. Their stand pushed the previous record of 204*, set by Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2012, into second place.

The list below covers the biggest partnerships against Delhi Daredevils and Delhi Capitals from 2008 through the completed 2026 IPL season.

Highest Partnerships Against DC in IPL History

The first two partnerships crossed 200, while seven of the top 10 reached at least 140. The table also shows that opening and second-wicket partnerships have caused Delhi the most problems historically.

1. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan – 205* for Gujarat Titans

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan set the record for the highest partnership against Delhi Capitals during the 2025 IPL season.

Delhi posted 199, giving Gujarat Titans a target of 200. Instead of simply keeping pace with the required rate, Gill and Sudharsan controlled the chase from the start.

The GT openers added an unbeaten 205 runs for the first wicket, completing the chase without losing a wicket. The partnership also became one of the highest opening stands in IPL history.

Sudharsan and Gill attacked selectively during the Powerplay before increasing the tempo as Delhi’s bowlers searched for a breakthrough. Their ability to rotate strike prevented dot-ball pressure, while both batters punished anything too full or short.

The stand broke the previous record against Delhi, which had belonged to Gayle and Kohli for 13 years.

It also became the highest IPL partnership in a successful run chase at the time, underlining the quality of the performance.

2. Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli – 204* for RCB

For more than a decade, Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli owned the record for the highest partnership against Delhi.

The pair combined for an unbeaten 204-run second-wicket stand for Royal Challengers Bangalore in Delhi in 2012.

RCB lost Tillakaratne Dilshan early, but Delhi could not find another breakthrough.

Gayle dominated the bowling attack with his usual power, scoring an unbeaten 128 from 62 deliveries. Kohli played the ideal supporting role and finished unbeaten on 73.

RCB reached 215/1 after 20 overs and then successfully defended the total.

The partnership showed how effective two contrasting batting styles could be. Gayle supplied the majority of the six-hitting, while Kohli kept the innings moving with quick singles, twos and conventional boundaries.

Even after being overtaken in 2025, the 204* remains the highest second-wicket partnership against Delhi.

3. Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson – 176* for SRH

Sunrisers Hyderabad produced one of the most controlled successful chases against Delhi in 2018.

Delhi had scored 187, a total that should have given their bowlers a chance. SRH lost an early wicket, but Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson completely took control.

The pair added an unbeaten 176 runs for the second wicket and guided Hyderabad to a 10-wicket-style finish after the early dismissal, reaching the target comfortably.

Dhawan made 92* from 50 balls, while Williamson remained unbeaten on 83 from 53 deliveries.

What made the partnership impressive was its lack of panic. Neither batter needed to attack every ball. They kept the required rate manageable throughout and accelerated whenever Delhi’s bowlers missed their lengths.

It remains one of the largest unbeaten partnerships ever recorded against DC.

4. Jos Buttler and Devdutt Padikkal – 155 for Rajasthan Royals

Jos Buttler and Devdutt Padikkal added 155 runs for the opening wicket against Delhi Capitals at Wankhede Stadium in 2022.

Buttler was in outstanding form during that season and produced another dominant innings, scoring 116 from 65 deliveries. Padikkal supported him with 54 from 35 balls.

Their opening stand gave Rajasthan a platform for 222/2.

Delhi responded strongly but finished 15 runs short, making the partnership the decisive phase of the match.

The stand demonstrated why large opening partnerships are so valuable. Rajasthan reached the middle overs with wickets intact and could continue attacking rather than rebuilding.

At the time, 155 was the highest first-wicket partnership against Delhi. Gill and Sudharsan eventually surpassed it in 2025.

5. Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran – 147 for LSG

Lucknow Super Giants produced one of the fastest major partnerships against Delhi Capitals in 2025.

Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran combined for 147 runs for the third wicket after LSG had made a steady start.

The pair attacked relentlessly. Marsh scored 72 from 36 balls, while Pooran smashed 75 from only 30. Their stand came from just 61 deliveries, making it one of the quickest 100-plus partnerships Delhi have conceded.

Lucknow reached 192/2 after 14 overs before Delhi’s bowlers finally fought back.

Mitchell Starc and Kuldeep Yadav triggered a late collapse, restricting LSG to 209/8 despite the huge Marsh-Pooran stand.

Delhi eventually chased the target, so the partnership came in a losing cause. Even so, its scoring rate makes it one of the most explosive large stands ever recorded against DC.

Highest Opening Partnerships Against DC

The opening record against Delhi now belongs to Gill and Sudharsan.

Their unbeaten 205 completely replaced the old benchmark and became one of only a handful of 200-run opening partnerships in IPL history.

Gaikwad and Conway have been particularly successful against Delhi. They added 110 in 2022 and improved that record to 141 in Delhi in 2023.

Head and Abhishek produced a very different type of partnership in 2024. Their 131-run opening stand came at an extraordinary rate and helped SRH reach 125/0 after the Powerplay, the highest Powerplay score in IPL history.

Biggest Partnerships by Wicket Against DC

Looking at the records by wicket shows how opposition teams have hurt Delhi at different points of an innings.

The first three wicket records stand far above the rest.

Gill-Sudharsan and Gayle-Kohli each crossed 200, while Marsh and Pooran reached 147 at a strike rate well above the normal T20 scoring pace.

Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson also feature prominently among second-wicket partnerships. Their 176* in 2018 and 136 in 2017 mean the same pair produced two of the largest stands Delhi have ever conceded.

Famous Record Stands Against DC

Head and Abhishek Rewrite Powerplay Records

Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma produced one of the most violent opening partnerships in IPL history against Delhi in 2024.

The pair added 131 before the first wicket fell, but the most remarkable part came during the first six overs.

SRH reached 125/0 in the Powerplay, with Head scoring 84 and Abhishek 40 during that phase. Their century partnership arrived in only five overs, the fastest 100-run stand in IPL history at the time.

Gaikwad and Conway Dominate in Delhi

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway added 141 for CSK against Delhi in 2023.

The stand gave Chennai complete control and continued Gaikwad’s impressive record in century partnerships against DC. Gaikwad has been involved in multiple 100-plus stands against Delhi across different seasons.

Dhawan and Williamson Do It Twice

Dhawan and Williamson were a repeated problem for Delhi.

Their 136-run second-wicket stand in Hyderabad in 2017 featured Williamson’s 89 and Dhawan’s 70. SRH reached 191/4 and won by 15 runs.

One season later, they went even bigger with an unbeaten 176.

Very few batting pairs have produced two partnerships above 130 against the same IPL opponent.

Pandey and Uthappa Rescue Pune

Manish Pandey and Robin Uthappa added an unbeaten 145 for Pune Warriors India against Delhi in 2012.

Pune lost an early wicket at just two runs, but the pair completely stabilized the chase.

Pandey scored 80 and Uthappa made 60 as Pune reached the target comfortably.

The stand remains one of the biggest successful rebuilding partnerships against Delhi.

Why Delhi Have Conceded Several Huge Partnerships

Delhi’s long IPL history naturally increases the number of large stands they have faced. They have played every season since 2008, giving opposition batters far more opportunities than against newer teams such as Gujarat Titans or Lucknow Super Giants.

Venue conditions also matter.

Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium has become increasingly batting-friendly in recent years. Short boundaries and flat surfaces have produced several high-scoring games, including GT’s 205-run opening stand in 2025 and SRH’s record Powerplay attack in 2024.

Still, the biggest partnerships are rarely caused by conditions alone. They usually require both batters to survive difficult periods and then attack different bowlers successfully.

Gayle and Kohli, Gill and Sudharsan, Dhawan and Williamson, and Marsh and Pooran all combined contrasting strengths to prevent Delhi from focusing on one batter.

That is what makes these stands memorable: Delhi did not simply fail to dismiss one dangerous batter. They failed to break a partnership in which both players were capable of controlling the match.

FAQs

What is the highest partnership against Delhi Capitals in IPL history?

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan hold the record with an unbeaten 205-run opening partnership for Gujarat Titans against Delhi Capitals in 2025.

What is the highest second-wicket partnership against DC?

Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli hold the record with an unbeaten 204 for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Delhi Daredevils in 2012.

What is the highest opening partnership against Delhi Capitals?

Gill and Sudharsan’s 205* for Gujarat Titans in 2025 is the highest opening stand against Delhi and one of the biggest opening partnerships in IPL history.

Which pair has two huge partnerships against Delhi?

Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson produced 176* against Delhi in 2018 and 136 in 2017, making them one of the most successful pairs against DC.

What was CSK’s highest partnership against Delhi?

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway added 141 runs for the opening wicket against Delhi in 2023.

Which partnership produced the fastest 100 against DC?

Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma reached their 100-run partnership in only five overs against Delhi in 2024, during SRH’s record 125/0 Powerplay.