Partnerships play a vital role when it comes to a team sport like cricket. It is an underrated factor that often goes under the carpet without being noticed, but a key factor in forming a champion side. In this article, we will have a look at the highest partnerships for any wicket against India in the One Day International format.
Alyssa Healy-Phoebe Litchfield (189 off 173 balls) (1st wicket) [2nd January 2024]:
The Australian team led by the newly appointed skipper Alyssa Healy toured India for an all-format series, including a one-off Test match followed by a three-match ODI series and then the three-match T20I series to conclude their tour to India. India clinched a historic, maiden victory in the red-ball format against Australia. However, the visitors bounced back and sealed the three-match ODI series as they clinched an edge-of-the-seat thriller by 3 runs in the 2nd ODI.
Skipper Alyssa Healy won the toss and opted to bat first in the 3rd ODI. The 20-year-old left-hand batter Phoebe Litchfield is having a phenomenal series with the bat, scoring back-to-back half-centuries (78 off 89 balls and 63 off 98 balls). On the other hand, skipper Alyssa Healy was struggling with the bat returning with scores of 1, and 13 in the first couple of ODIs. The duo combined to pounce on the lapses on the field and stitched a massive 189-run opening stand, scoring at a rate of over 6 runs an over.
Alex Blackwell-Meg Lanning (180 off 182 balls) (3rd wicket) [14th March 2012]:
The 2nd on the list is the partnership between the formidable duo of Alex Blackwell and Meg Lanning on their tour to India in the year 2012. The pair stitched the, then highest partnership (180 off 182 balls) for the third wicket to bring Australia in complete control of the innings in the 2nd ODI. The Australian side led by skipper Jodie Fields went on to whitewash India (3-0) in a three-match ODI series. They also went on to clinch the five-match T20I series by a comprehensive (4-1) margin.
Alex Blackwell-Ellyse Perry (180 off 189 balls) (3rd wicket) [2nd February 2016]:
Former Australian all-rounder is involved in yet another crucial game-changing partnership, this time with Ellyse Perry as her partner at the other end in a home series against India. Alex Blackwell joined Ellyse Perry at the crease with Australia at 63/2 in the 1st ODI and the duo stitched a crucial and massive 180-run partnership for the fourth wicket to bring their side right back into the game. The partnership played a crucial role in helping Australia get closer to the 280-run mark. The home side eventually ended up clinching the ODI series after going down by a margin of 2-1 in the T20I series.
Lizelle Lee-Laura Wolvaardt (169 off 223 balls) (Opening Partnership) [7th March 2021]:
The South African side led by skipper Sune Luus toured India for a limited overs series which included a five-match ODI series followed by a three-match T20I series. Skipper Sune Luus won the toss and opted to field first in the first ODI. The home side was restricted to 177/9 in their quota of overs. Chasing a target of 178, the South African openers Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt almost sealed the run chase with a 169-run opening partnership. The visitors, South Africa eventually clinched the first ODI by 8 wickets and almost 10 overs to spare.
Denise Emerson-Jill Kennare (167 runs), (2nd wicket) [10th January 1982]:
The Indian team led by skipper Shantha Rangaswamy came up against Australia in the 1st Match of the ODI World Cup in New Zealand. Australian skipper Sharon Tredrea won the toss and opted to bat first. Australia lost the wicket of their opener Peta Verco. Jill Kenare joined Denise Emerson at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 167-run partnership for the third wicket to lead Australia’s recovery and establish firm control in the innings. The partnership between the duo played a crucial role in helping Australia go past the 220-run mark. Chasing a total of 228, India was bundled out for 74 to seal a massive 153-run victory in the first game of the tournament.
Andrie Styen-Trisha Chetty (151 off 219 balls) (2nd wicket) [17th May 2017]:
The Indian team led by skipper Mithali Raj was involved in a quadrangular series involving teams namely, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Ireland. India faced South Africa in the final courtesy of five victories from their 6 games for both sides. Skipper Mithali Raj won the toss and opted to field first in their league game against South Africa. Jhulan Goswami provided the dream start by dismissing Lizelle Lee for a golden duck on the first ball of the innings. Wicket-keeper batter Trisha Chetty joined Andrie Steyn at the crease and the duo took their side to a position of strength with a 151-run partnership for the 2nd wicket leading South Africa’s recovery. The partnership played a crucial role in helping them get closer to the 170-run mark. Chasing a target of 270, the women in blue fell 8 runs short of the target as they were restricted to 261/9 in their quota of overs.
