The best opening pair in ODIs in recent times

Author: Ashok Kumar Shaw

Openers are critical to a team’s success across formats. In ODIs, openers’ success cannot be under-estimated. Here are some of the openers who have made batting look relative easy in ODIs recently.

1) KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma

KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma have always come together whenever first-choice opener Shikhar Dhawan has been injured. The opening partners have done better than the regular pair of Dhawan-Rohit in recent times. In the ODIs last year, Raul-Rohit have been the best opening pair. They totaled 1008 runs at an average of 91.63 with 5 tons and 1 fifty stands in just 11 innings last year, overtaking all other opening pair in ODIs last year.

2) Aaron Finch and David Warner

The two have had been a devastating pair in ODIs since the two reunited together last year after Warner served out his one-year ban for ball tampering. The two showed what they are capable of in the first ODI against India at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The two struck tons as Australia chased down a target of 256 without losing a wicket with 74 balls to spare. Warner and Finch have scored 3088 runs with an average of 51.46 with 9 tons and 13 fifties partnership.

3) Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma

Although Dhawan-Rohit have not been as prolific as Rohit-Rahul, the former pair has been the most consistent since the two came together in 2013. In fact, they are the third best opening pair in ODIs of all time. In 2019, the two aggregate 716 runs with an average of 42.11 with 3 century stands in 17 innings. Overall, the two have totaled 4802 runs with an average of 45.30 with 16 century and 14 fifty stands. 

4) Shai Hope and Evin Lewis

They are a surprise entry to this list. The West Indian pair has been a consistent opening pair in ODIs in recent times. They also complement their styles extremely well. While Lewis is an attacking batsman and loves to go after the bowling, Hope loves to take his time to settle down and grind out the opposition bowling attack. But when they are on song, it’s difficult to stop them.