Punjab Kings made their debut in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League in 2008, along with seven other franchises. However, they have yet to win the championship in 15 seasons. However, they have the worst stats in the league’s history until now. In 15 seasons, PBKS has only played two playoffs in 2008 and 2014.
Since then, they have only ended in group stages. That is why a number of teams and players have had a great time playing against them. There have also been some big partnerships recorded against them. And here we will talk about the highest partnerships against the Punjab Kings in the IPL’s history.
Highest Partnership against Punjab Kings
| Pair | Runs | Wkt | Team | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis | 181* | 1st | CSK | Dubai (DSC) | 4 Oct 2020 |
| David Warner and Jonny Bairstow | 160 | 1st | SRH | Dubai (DSC) | 8 Oct 2020 |
| Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli | 147 | 1st | RCB | Bengaluru | 18 May 2016 |
| David Warner and Virender Sehwag | 146 | 1st | DC | Delhi | 23 Apr 2011 |
| Mike Hussey and Murali Vijay | 139* | 1st | CSK | Mohali | 10 Apr 2013 |
| Parthiv Patel and Ambati Rayudu | 137 | 2nd | MI | Mohali | 25 Apr 2016 |
| Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli | 136 | 2nd | RCB | Bengaluru | 14 May 2013 |
| Naman Ohja and Graeme Smith | 135 | 1st | RR | Durban | 5 May 2009 |
| Shikhar Dhawan and Ravi Teja | 131 | 1st | Deccan | Dharamsala | 21 May 2011 |
| Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers | 131 | 14th | RCB | Mohali | 20 Apr 2012 |
5. Mike Hussey and Murali Vijay (139* runs) in 2013
The 11th match of the 2013 season between Punjab and CSK in Mohali saw the fifth-highest IPL partnerships against them. Punjab had a poor batting performance and got dismissed for 138 runs in 19.5 overs. CSK openers made it an easy chase and won the game by 10 wickets in hand. Chennai had an unbeaten 139 runs for the first wicket between Murali Vijay and Mike Hussey. Vijay made 50 off 50, and Hussey scored 86 off 54 runs.
4. David Warner and Virender Sehwag (146 runs) in 2011
In history, the opposition’s openers have always enjoyed batting against the Punjab Kings. Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) registered the fourth-highest partnership against them. It came in the 2011 season in Delhi when these two teams met. Batting first, DC scored their highest IPL total of 231/4 with a 146-run opening stand between David Warner and Virender Sehwag. Warner made 77 off 48, and Sehwag made 77 off 35. In reply, Punjab scored 202/6 and lost the game by 29 runs.
3. Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli (147 runs) in 2016
You will find the pair of Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli scoring runs against every team. And they recorded the third-highest IPL partnership against DC in history. It came in 2016, when RCB made the final. Bangalore batted first and scored 211/3 runs in the first inning. Gayle and Virat gave them a flying start and added 147 runs in just 11 overs. Gayle made 73 off 32, while Virat scored 113 off 50 balls. Punjab couldn’t do much and reached 120/9, losing the game by 82 runs.
2. David Warner and Jonny Bairstow (160 runs) in 2020
Another opening pair that enjoyed Punjab’s bowling in the IPL was David Warner and Jonny Bairstow from SRH. It was SRH that batted first, and both openers added 160 runs in just 15.1 overs. Warner made 52 off 40, and Bairstow missed his century and made 97 off 55. That proved to be more than enough target for Punjab, as they got bowled out for 132 runs. As a result, SRH won that match by 69 runs.
1. Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis (181* runs) in 2020
All five of the biggest IPL partnerships against Punjab Kings came for the first wicket. However, the highest came in the 2020 season when Punjab faced CSK in Dubai. In the first inning, Punjab scored 178/4 runs. It looked like a challenging target, but both CSK openers had some other plans. Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis made 181 runs in 17.4 overs to beat PBKS by 10 wickets. Watson made 83 off 53, and Du Plessis was not out on 87 off 53.