It is always imperative that the openers lay a solid foundation for their team. The start gets even more important in ODIs owing to the nature of the format. There have been iconic opening partnerships that have defined the ODIs. Teams that have had quality openers have won games on the power of their partnerships alone. The era of openers that started in the 70s continues to hold strong even during this decade. Here We can see the Highest Opening Partnership Runs In ODIs.
We Look At The 5 Highest Opening Partnership Runs in ODIs:
#5 Hashim Amla – Quinton De Kock
The South African opening duo of Hashim Amla and Quinton De Kock were one of the most formidable pairs in the modern game. Amla and Kock went about their business nonchalantly. They scored runs at an unassuming pace. The pair combined consistency with impact. In the 93 innings that they opened together, they amassed 4198 runs at an average of 46.64. The pair shared 11 centuries and 14 half-century stands between them.
#4 Shikhar Dhawan – Rohit Sharma
It was an opening pair that was formed merely owing to circumstances. Shikhar Dhawan had smashed a century on his Test debut. He was unproven in ODIs, but the team management showed faith in him. He was drafted as the first-choice opener for the Champions Trophy.
Rohit Sharma who had a stop-start career up until 2013, received a new lease of life. He was asked to partner with Dhawan in CT 2013. The rest as they say is history! Dhawan – Sharma combination has scored 5108 runs as an opening pair in 112 innings at an average of 46.43. The pair have shared 18 century and 15 half-century stands.
#3 Gordon Greenidge and Demond Haynes
It is probably owing to this pair that the openers across the world received so much admiration. The Caribbean duo of Gordon Greenidge and Demond Haynes were an unstoppable force. In the world-beating West Indian side, these two were the pillars on which the side achieved success. They amassed 5150 runs in 102 innings as openers sharing 15 centuries and 24 half-century partnerships. The duo averaged 46.43 as openers.
#2 Adam Gilchrist – Matthew Hayden
Arguably the most destructive openers in the history of the game, the partnership of Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden finished games even before they started. They relentlessly attacked from both sides. The beauty of their partnership was the unmatched consistency that they showcased.
Australia’s golden run in World Cups (2003 – 2007) where they didn’t drop a single game was largely due to the brilliance of this pair. They smashed 5372 runs as openers in 114 innings averaging 48.39. The duo shared 16-century and 29 half-century stands amongst them.
#1 Sourav Ganguly – Sachin Tendulkar
The pair of Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar is undoubtedly the most iconic opening pair of all time. They were an emotion for the people who followed Indian cricket in the 90s and the 00s. Ganguly – Tendulkar was the main reason why India stayed in the hunt for most games. India was entirely dependent on their opening partnership, especially in the 90s. The pair amassed 6609 runs together as openers. They shared 21 centuries, and 23 half-centuries and their average of 49.32 stood out.
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