Top Openers: In cricket, the technique is an often used term. The openers especially across formats are expected to possess solid technique. It is a popular belief that to counter new ball, overcast conditions, openers need strong defensive technique. But there have been few players who have gone on to defy conventions. These players changed the way opening batsmen operated. But what makes a certain bunch of players special is the fact that they started as middle-order batsmen.
We Look At 4 Such Middle-Order Batsmen Who Went On To Become Top Openers:
#4 Tilakaratne Dilshan
He was the quintessential middle-order batsman. Tilakaratne Dilshan was a proven finisher. He was a handy batsman who closed out many games for the team. But Dilshan’s career took off when he started opening the innings for Sri Lanka. His ‘Dilscoop’ became a signature shot in the game. Dilshan was the top scorer in T20 World Cup 2009 where Lanka finished as runners-up. He finished with 10,290 runs in the ODI format scoring 22 centuries. It was arguably his strongest format.
#3 Rohit Sharma
His career was going nowhere until 2013. MS Dhoni the then captain had a lot of faith in Rohit Sharma. Sharma was touted as the best young talent in the country when he made his debut in 2007. But he couldn’t translate his potential into results for the first half of his career.
In an inspiring move, Dhoni asked Sharma to open in white ball cricket in 2013. Sharma since then has been the best opening batter. Similarly in 2019 as a last throw of dice, Virat Kohli asked Sharma to open in Tests too. Rohit’s Test career has seen a tremendous upswing since then! He is the most accomplished Test opener in the last 3 years.
#2 Sanath Jayasuriya
He was primarily a left-arm spinner who played handy cameos lower down the order. But Arjuna Ranatunga quickly realized Sanath Jayasuriya’s potential. He made open in the ODIs in the 1996 World Cup. Jayasuriya’s attacking instincts paid off handsomely as Sri Lanka went on to win their maiden World Cup in 1996. There was no looking back for the Matara Mauler. Jayasuriya finished with a career tally of 21,032 runs. All it took was one ground-breaking decision.
#1 Virender Sehwag
He made his Test debut batting at number 6 against South Africa. Virender Sehwag went on to score a stunning century on debut. But owing to India’s packed middle-order, there was no way Sehwag could be accommodated there.
Sourav Ganguly though desperately wanted Sehwag in his team. He asked him whether he was open to the idea of opening the innings in Tests? Sehwag without blinking an eye agreed to the proposal. After playing 104 Tests, scoring two triple centuries, averaging 49.3, and striking at 82.2, Sehwag along with Sunil Gavaskar remains India’s finest Test opener.
