Royal Challengers Bangalore are one of the three active teams to have never won an IPL title. RCB have qualified for the final three times. However, they have never crossed the finish line. RCB have often relied on their overseas batsmen for their success. Over the years, the franchise has signed some big overseas stars.
Big names like AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, TM Dilshan and Brendon McCullum have played for RCB. Hence, there have been many big partnerships. Fans got to witness dream batting combos at RCB. Over the years, the Bangalore-based franchise has produced some memorable batting performances. On that note, let’s have a look at the five highest partnerships for RCB involving two overseas batsmen.
5. Highest partnership between two overseas batsmen for RCB in last seven years: AB de Villiers and Marcus Stoinis – 121 runs, 2019
AB de Villiers has been one of the most consistent performers for RCB. His name appears multiple times on this list. In IPL 2019, de Villiers had a fantastic partnership with Australia’s Marcus Stoinis. RCB hosted the Kings XI Punjab in a league match at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB were down to 81/4 in nine overs.
Stoinis and de Villiers rebuilt the innings before launching an all-out assault on Punjab bowlers. They added 121 runs for the fifth wicket, with Stoinis scoring 46 runs from 34 balls. The two batsmen dealt in boundaries during the slog overs. They guided RCB to 202/4 in 20 overs. The home side beat Punjab by 17 runs because of the partnership between de Villiers and Stoinis.
4. TM Dilshan and AB de Villiers – 122 runs, 2012
RCB used a different batting order in the 2012 match against Rajasthan Royals. Virat Kohli opened with TM Dilshan. Mayank Agarwal batted at number three, while Chris Gayle batted at number four. This lineup did not work well as RR reduced them to 67/3 in 11.4 overs in Jaipur.
AB de Villiers then joined Dilshan in the middle. The two overseas batsmen saved the day for RCB. They had an unbeaten 122-run partnership for the fourth wicket. AB de Villiers contributed 59 runs off just 23 deliveries, while Dilshan remained not out on 76 runs. The two batsmen guided RCB to 189/3. Ultimately, Bangalore won by 46 runs.
3. TM Dilshan and Chris Gayle – 123 runs, 2011
TM Dilshan and Chris Gayle batted well together. The right-hand-left-hand combination gave RCB some good starts. Gayle was a part of KKR in the first three seasons. However, KKR released him before 2011. At 2011 Auction, Gayle went unsold.
RCB then signed Gayle as a replacement for Dirk Nannes. That decision proved to be a masterstroke as Gayle scored a century against his former team KKR. Gayle added 123 runs off 12.1 overs with Dilshan. The Sri Lankan’s contribution was only 38 runs from 31 balls. Their partnership helped Bangalore win by nine wickets.
2. Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers – 131 runs, 2012
Kings XI Punjab battled Royal Challengers Bangalore in Mohali during IPL 2012. The home team batted first and scored 163/6 in their 20 overs. The Punjab bowlers started off really well as they reduced RCB to 25/3. Opener Chris Gayle then united forces with AB de Villiers in the middle. The two batsmen stitched a fantastic 4th-wicket partnership of 131 runs.
They took the score from 25/3 in 5.1 overs to 156/4 in 17.4 overs. Gayle got out for 87 runs eventually. Even de Villiers lost his wicket after completing his fifty. However, their partnership ensured that RCB did not lose the match. Andrew McDonald completed the formalities with captain Daniel Vettori.
1. Best opening partnership for RCB involving two overseas batsmen: Chris Gayle and TM Dilshan – 167 runs, 2013
RCB hosted the Pune Warriors team at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during IPL 2013. The pitch at this venue is famous for producing high-scoring matches. Pune captain Aaron Finch won the toss and elected to field first. It was one of the biggest mistakes made by a captain in IPL history. Chris Gayle absolutely destroyed the Warriors bowling attack that evening.
Gayle opened the innings with Sri Lanka’s TM Dilshan. The two openers added 167 runs for the first wicket. In that partnership, Dilshan’s contribution was 33 runs off 36 deliveries. It was the day where Gayle ended up scoring 175 runs from 66 balls. His partnership with Dilshan remains the best opening stand for RCB when two overseas batsmen were in the middle.
