From power-packed partnerships to fearless fireworks—these five opening stands in IPL finals turned pressure into poetry
In the glitter and glamour of the IPL, the final is where stars are made, and legends are written in bold. But under such pressure, not everyone takes off with flair. Opening the innings in a final? That's walking a tightrope over lava.
And yet, there are a few who've not just walked it—they've danced all the way across, carving out innings that not only set the tone for the game but also burned themselves into memory. Here's a trip down that thrilling lane.
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You can't discuss IPL final partnerships without starting with Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay's remarkable 159-run stand for Chennai Super Kings against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011. The duo didn't just take off—they soared.
Vijay played the role of enforcer to perfection, smashing 95 from 52 balls, including 4 boundaries and 6 enormous sixes. Hussey, the backbone of the innings, scored 63 from 45, maintaining a brisk tempo with a strike rate of 140.00.
Together, they established a foundation that enabled CSK to post 205/5. RCB had no answers. CSK clinched the title by 58 runs—and the Hussey-Vijay pair entered history.
Not every great opening partnership culminates in a trophy, but this one certainly illuminated the night sky. Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli came out all guns blazing in the 2016 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad, chasing a daunting 209.
They didn't hold back—Gayle struck 76 off just 38 deliveries, including 4 fours and 8 sixes, while Kohli showcased pure class, scoring 54 off 35. In 10 overs, they accumulated 114 runs.
The chase appeared promising. However, once they fell, the innings collapsed like a house of cards. SRH claimed the title, but this duo's explosive start remains one of the most exhilarating beginnings in a final.
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KKR were in front in the 2021 final against CSK, thanks to a composed 91-run opening partnership between Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer while chasing 193. They got the job done—ticking along without fuss, not biting off more than they could chew.
Gill scored a steady 51 off 43, while Iyer cranked it up with a 32-ball 50 that included 5 fours and 3 sixes. At 91 for no loss, they appeared set to pull off something special.
However, the middle order collapsed like a sandcastle in high tide. CSK held firm and snatched the crown.
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Yes, they're back. The Hussey-Vijay duo returned to the finals a year later in 2012 and once again fired at the top, racking up 87 for the first wicket against KKR. Hussey was solid with 54 off 43 balls, and Vijay backed him up with 42 from 32.
They seemed set to take CSK to a third consecutive title. However, KKR, led by Manvinder Bisla's heroics, turned the tide, chased down 191, and clinched victory. Still, few partnerships have performed on the finals stage like this one.
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Weather, revised targets, and a high-pressure chase—none of it fazed Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway in the 2023 final against Gujarat Titans. Chasing a DLS-adjusted 171 in just 15 overs, they came out swinging.
In merely 6.3 overs, the pair plundered 74 runs. Conway led the charge with a brisk 47 off 25, and Gaikwad contributed with a 16-ball 26. Their fearless start kept CSK in the match, setting up a dramatic win off the last ball.
