10 iconic ODI partnerships which changed the course of the match

Cricket, though popularly known for the heroics of individual performances, is ultimately a team game and partnerships, although a hidden and relatively unknown criterion, have a deep impact over the game.Partnerships are very crucial in cricket and form the backbone for a high intensity and competitive match. They not only provide a firm and strong base for the batting side but they also play an immensely important role in helping a team chasing huge totals.Here are 10 iconic partnerships in ODI Cricket which changed the course of the match:

#10 Michael Bevan and Paul Reiffel, 5th Match, Benson and Hedges World Series (1995-1996) - 83

Michael Bevan, as always, was a genius at work

This match could be regarded as one of those classic ODI contests which saw an exemplary display of spectacular bowling performances from both the teams. Batting first, W. Indies were blown out by some astonishing bowling by the Australian bowlers. They could manage a meagre 172 in 43 overs in a rain-affected innings.

The chase didn’t begin well for Australia as they lost their top three batsmen for just 15 runs and were soon reeling at 74-7 as Walsh and Ambrose breathed fire with the ball.

It was then that Bevan and Reiffel took control of the innings and brought Australia back in the game. A genius at work, Bevan was clinical as ever and he shouldered the Australian innings getting support from Reiffel. Australia won the match by 1 wicket with Reiffel being declared as the man of the match.

#9 Corey Anderson and Grant Elliot, Semi Final-1, ICC Cricket World Cup (2015) - 103

Grant Elliot killed off South African dreams in the 2015 World Cup

In what can be regarded as most intense game of the ICC World Cup 2015, the first semi-final offered some great batting display from both teams. Batting first, S. Africa put 281 on the board in a rain-affected innings.

Chasing a revised target of 298, NZ innings took pace when Elliot and Anderson were at the crease. It proved to be a nightmare for the S. African bowlers. It was an absolute carnage by both the batsman, as they were involved in a partnership of 103 runs for the fifth wicket.

This gave NZ their first ever World Cup final appearance where they eventually lost to Australia.

#8 Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga, Sri Lanka\'s tour of England (2006) - 286

Upul Tharanga was one of the many able partners legendary opener Sanath Jayasuriya partnered with for Sri Lanka

It was an in form Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga who took on English bowlers in the final match of the series in Headingly. Chasing 322, the Lankan openers were ecstatic and started the innings in style.

Both went on to score centuries and were involved in a partnership of 286 runs which helped Sri Lanka win the match and secure a 5-0 whitewash over England. A partnership which saw an aggressive batting display by Jayasuriya and a technical batting display by Tharanga was a treat to watch.

#7 Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell, India vs England, ICC Cricket World Cup (2011) - 170

This World Cup match will be remembered for years to come

It was India vs England in the 2011 Cricket World Cup. It was a match of high pressure and a must win situation for both the teams. Batting first, India put 338 on the board. Chasing on a sub-continent track was not an easy task for England.

It was Andrew Strauss (100) and Ian Bell (69) who came to the rescue and established a partnership of 170 runs which was eventually broken by Zaheer Khan when he sent Strauss back for a leg before wicket. In spite of that, the partnership helped England tie the match with India with both teams getting one point each.

#6 Kapil Dev and Syed Kirmani, India vs Zimbabwe, Prudential World Cup (1983) - 126

India continued their run from the Zimbabwe match and went on to win the World Cup

This match is particularly known for the heroics of Kapil Dev, popularly known as the Haryana Hurricane. With the contest for the semi-final berth getting tight, it was a must win game for India. Batting first, India were reduced to 9-4.

Kapil Dev promoted himself up the order but it was all in vain as wickets kept tumbling at the other end and soon they were reeling at 140-8 until he and Syed Kirmani were involved in a record 9th wicket partnership of 126 runs which took India to a respectable score of 266.

This partnership not only helped India win the match but also gave an additional boost and confidence to the new and freshly formed team.

#5 Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly, India vs Sri Lanka, ICC Cricket World Cup (1999) - 331

It was this day that Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid arrived on the big stage

With two most revered names of Indian Cricket on the crease, one can expect something special. But Ganguly and Dravid had not built their reputations then, and with an early wicket gone in a game they needed to win to progress in the 1999 World Cup, nobody could predict the masterclass that would follow.

Playing Sri Lanka in a must-win game. Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly took the Sri Lankan bowlers by storm and added 331 runs for the 2nd wicket.

It was pure skill and class on display. The world witnessed their brilliance as they built a partnership which was a depiction of their class and it completely changed the course of the match.

#4 Mohammed Kaif and Yuvraj Singh, Natwest Series Final (2002) - 121

Yuvraj and Kaif would go on to script several such match-changing partnerships for India

That wonderful scene of Sourav Ganguly waving his shirt off at Lords after a historic victory over England is etched in the memory of every Indian. It was the final match of the NatWest series between India and England.

Chasing 326, the chase wasn't going to be easy and India were soon struggling at 146-5 in 24 overs with half of the team back in the pavilion. Yuvraj Singh and Mohammed Kaif, showing an exemplary display of their class and abilities, took charge of the Indian innings and established a partnership of 121 runs.

The partnership, which anchored India’s win in a close encounter at Lords, is remembered as one of the best partnerships in Indian Cricket and the highest ever sixth wicket partnership.

#3 Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga, 1st ODI, Sri Lanka tour of Australia (2010) -132

Talk about clinching a win from the jaws of defeat

The long-held record for the highest 9th wicket partnership was ultimately broken after 27 years by the Sri Lankan duo of Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga, as they produced a miraculous fightback against Australia which stunned the cricketing World.

Chasing 240, the Lankan team was down at 107 for 8 when Mathews and Malinga decided to make a comeback and were involved in a partnership of 132 runs. Malinga played some aggressive cricket and scored 56 from 48 balls while Mathews played an anchoring innings of 77 runs from 84 balls.

This partnership not only gave Australia a big setback but also depicted Sri Lanka's team spirit and courage.

#2 MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir vs Sri Lanka (2011) - 109

Both missed out on their tons, but won the bigger prize

It was the night of the 2011 World Cup final and the stage was set at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai where the hosts, India, took on Sri Lanka. Chasing a stiff target of 275, India lost both its openers early and was put under pressure right away by the Sri Lankan bowlers.

Captain MSDhoni decided to promote himself up the batting order and rest we all know is history. Dhoni (91*) and Gambhir (97) played intelligent and smartcricket and were involved in a game-changing partnership of 109 runs which tilted the match in Indias favour. Building such a big partnership under pressure was a commendable job. India eventually went on to become the world champions.

#1 Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs vs Australia (2006) - 187

These two made were the architects behind the greatest ODI run chase

The memories of that historic encounter between Australia and South Africa are still intact – when the world witnessed the greatest ODI contest of all time. After winning the toss, Australia decided to bat first and put up a total of 434 on the board. It was a classic and breath-taking batting display by Ricky Ponting.

As the chase began, it was Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs who shouldered the South African innings. Involved in a partnership of 187 runs, there was some aggressive and tactical cricket on display on way to achieving the mammoth target. This partnership will go down in history as one of the most iconic partnerships during a chase.