Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers Dethroned By Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan In IPL Feat

GT openers shatters Kohli-ABD's feat [Source: AFP]

Crucial partnerships win you matches in any form of cricket, and it is pivotal to have players who know how to support each other and help the team gain success. One such iconic pair that has taken their team to the next level is the Gujarat Titans' opening pair of Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill.

In a short span of time in the IPL, the GT opening pair has taken the league by storm and has become the most consistent pair in the history of the tournament.

In the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 against the Rajasthan Royals, the Gujarat Titans needed 215 to win the game and seal their place in the playoffs, but for that, the pair of Sudharsan and Gill had to fire all guns blazing. The consistent duo did just that, and in the blink of an eye, they added quickfire 50 runs to create a huge world record.

GT openers become better than Kohli, AB de Villiers in IPL

The RR bowlers had no answer as the Gujarat Titans' opening pair added 50 runs, and they created history to become the IPL duo with the most 50-plus partnerships in the tournament’s history.

Kohli, and ABD had 21 such scores in the IPL, while Sudharsan and Gill have shattered the record and have 22 scores of 50-plus as a pair.

Most 50+ Partnerships in IPL

• 22 - 𝗦𝗵𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗶𝗹𝗹/𝗦𝗮𝗶 𝗦𝘂𝗱𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗻* 
• 21 - Virat Kohli/AB De Villiers 
• 21 - Virat Kohli/Chris Gayle 
• 20 - David Warner/Shikhar Dhawan 
• 18 - Rohit Sharma/Ishan Kishan 
• 18 - Virat Kohli/Devdutt Padikkal

Also Read: List Of All IPL Records Shattered By Vaibhav Sooryavanshi With Masterclass Vs GT

Interestingly, Kohli also occupies the third spot, as he had registered 21 fifty-run stands alongside his former RCB teammate, Chris Gayle. SRH pair of David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan are placed at fourth position with 20 such scores.

The last two spots are occupied by Rohit Sharma, and Ishan Kishan for MI, and Kohli, and Devdutt Padikkal for RCB.

Another Kohli-ABD IPL record shattered by Gill, Sudharsan

Not only the most fifty-plus scores as a pair in the IPL, but there is another magnificent Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers feat that the GT pair has surpassed with a breathtaking assault vs the Rajasthan Royals.

Most 100+ Partnerships by a Pair in IPL

• 11* - Sai Sudharsan & Shubman Gill (GT)*
• 10 - AB de Villiers & Virat Kohli (RCB)
• 9 - Chris Gayle & Virat Kohli (RCB)

Also Read: All Captains Of Lucknow Super Giants In IPL History

Kohli and de Villiers had the honour of scoring the most centuries in the IPL as a pair, and even that feat has been shattered by the dominant GT openers, Sudharsan, and Gill.

Gill, Sudharsan leading GT to glory in IPL 2026

Just like IPL 2023, 2024, and 2025, Shubman Gill and Sudharsan have once again become their team’s best batters by a country mile. GT’s fortunes were dependent on how the two players fared in the IPL, and it is to be said that they have done well in the league.

At the time of writing, Sudharsan is near 700 runs as he has accumulated 696 runs, at a strike rate of 158. His partner, Gill, is not far behind either as the GT skipper has amassed 685 runs, with a strike rate of 162.

Together, they have scored the bulk of runs, and have helped GT reach Qualifier 2 as the team now aims to reach the final and set up a date with RCB.

Follow GT Vs RR live updates for the thrilling IPL contest