Top 5 ODI partnerships in a losing cause

#1 Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs - 235 vs India at Kochi, 2000

This majestic partnership was not enough to prevent South Africa from a defeat against India

It was the first ODI of the ill-fated India-South Africa ODI series in 2000. Kochi was the venue and the visitors batted first. South Africa were off to a great start thanks to openers Herschelle Gibbs and Gary Kirsten. The duo added 235 for the first wicket which was a South African record for any wicket at the time. Both players reached their hundreds with Gibbs scoring 111 while Kirsten scored 115. South Africa’s innings ended at 301/3.

In reply, India were not in the best of positions at the beginning as their batsmen weren’t able to stay in the crease for long. However, a 92 from Ajay Jadeja and scores of 42 from Mohammad Azharuddin helped India win the game by 7 wickets. The opening stand between Gibbs and Kirsten broke a 2-year long record for the highest ODI partnership in a losing cause.