Opening Partnerships are probably one the most important aspect that determines the greatness of a team in ODI Cricket. Be it from the early 70s till date, the effectiveness of a batting team depends a lot on the foundation being led by the openers.
Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes started the trend of strong opening partnership way back in the late 70s and early 80s. Although the run scoring pattern and the game dynamics have changed over the years, but none can deny the fact that it is the opening partnership that sets the tone of the match in ODI cricket.
Today we will be looking at top 5 opening pairs in ODI cricket history.
5. Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock (RSA)~ 4198 runs.
One was cool as ice, other was hot as fire and that's what has been the success mantra of the opening pair of Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock. The duo opened first in 2013 and there has been no looking back as they went on to open for South Africa in 2 World Cups. The duo opened together in 93 matches and scored 4198 runs at a healthy average of 46.64 and was involved in 11 centuries and 14 half centuries stand. Their highest ODI partnership was of an unbeaten 282 runs.
4.Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan (IND)~ 4994 runs*.
The opening partnership of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan has been one of the main reasons for India's strong batting in last eight years. The top 3 of India has contributed 60% of India's total runs and Rohit and Shikhar has been a pioneer in that. The duo first opened together in 2013 Champions Trophy and there has been no looking back since then. The duo has opened for 111 matches, scored 4994 runs together with an average of 45.40. They have been involved in 17 century stands already with a highest partnership of 210 runs. Rohit and Shikhar has been consistent in all ICC Tournaments and opened together in 2013 and 2017 Champions Trophy and in 2015 and 2019 World Cup.
3. Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes (WI)~ 5150 runs.
The Golden era of the West Indies Cricket team is often denoted by the damage inflicted by the bowlers. But credit must be given to the opening pair of Greenidge and Haynes who often gave their team blistering starts. Infact it was the duo of Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes who revolutinaized opening the batting in ODI cricket. Greenidge breathed fire with the bat whereas Haynes was more of a cautious kind of batsman. The duo opened together for 102 matches and scored 5150 runs. They were involved in 15 century stands and are currently the only batting opening pair to average more than 50 at the opening positions. The duo averaged a record 52.55 at the top.
2. Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden: (AUS)~ 5372 runs.
The 2000s Australian side was a champion side in itself. They had magnificent openers, wonderful middle order batsmen and lethal bowlers. Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden are probably the only opening pair in ODI history that plundered bowling attack mercilessly from ball one. Both the batsmen were amazing stroke players and were capable to take the game away from the opposition single handedly. The duo opened together for 114 matches scored 5372 runs, won 2 World Cups and averaged 48.39. They were involved in 16 century stands with a highest partnership of 172.
1. Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly (IND)~ 6609 runs.
The numero uno position for the best opening pairs in ODI cricket belong to the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. The duo opened the maximum number of times as opening partners- 136 matches. They scored the most runs as opening partners in the history of ODI cricket with 6609 runs. They averaged 49.32 and were involved in a record 21 century stands. The duo first came together in 1996 and changed the face of Indian cricket. The highest partnership between them is of 258 runs.
Other honorable mentions:
Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag (IND).
Matches: 93.
Runs scored: 3919.
Avg: 42.13.
100 partnerships: 12.
Aaron Finch and David Warner (AUS).
Matches: 70*.
Runs scored: 3638.
Avg: 52.72.
100 Partnerships: 12.
(* Still playing as openers).
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