Which is the best opening pair of all time? Comparing opening duos is about more than runs scored. It is about chemistry. It is about consistency. It is about the ability to set the tone for the entire innings.
At IceCric, we understand this debate is about more than numbers. We have taken on the task of ranking the greatest opening pairs to ever grace the stage. We analyzed runs scored and century stands.
In this feature, we break down the pairs that have not only amassed the most runs but have also changed the course of matches.
Top 5 Best Opening Pair of All Time According to IceCric
1. Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly – The Masters of the ODI Era
This iconic Indian duo redefined what it means to start an innings in One Day Internationals. They are often credited with revolutionizing India’s approach to ODI cricket by attacking from the very first over. Together they did not just score runs. They instilled fear in bowlers all around the world.
Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly opened the innings together for India between 1996 and 2007 and shared 136 innings as partners. Their total runs together reached 6,609 which is an incredible number. Their partnership average was 49.32 and they put on 21 century stands. They were especially dominant in the 2003 World Cup. Their understanding and chemistry at the crease was unmatched and they remain one of the most beloved opening pairs in cricket history.
2. Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes – The Gods of the Golden Era
For over a decade Greenidge and Haynes were the cornerstone of the all conquering West Indian team. They are often hailed as the Gods who opened for a team of Gods. This was a fitting description because they personified dominance and reliability throughout the 1980s. They played together in Test cricket from 1978 to 1991 and shared 148 innings as partners. Their total runs together were 6,482 and they had a partnership average of 47.31. They put on 16 century stands which is a testament to their consistency.
Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes’s partnership was a key reason for the West Indies unprecedented success during that golden period. Greenidge was the aggressive power hitter while Haynes was the elegant accumulator. Together they frustrated opposition bowlers and set the platform for the middle order to dominate. They were particularly lethal at home where the fast and bouncy pitches suited their style. Their contribution to West Indian cricket is immense and they are remembered as one of the greatest opening pairs of all time.
3. Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden – The Aggressive Left Handed Assault
This Australian pairing brought a new level of aggression to opening the batting in One Day Internationals. Both being powerful left handers they were a nightmare for bowlers in the early overs. They often took the game away from the opposition in the first hour itself. Gilchrist was the explosive wicket keeper batsman who could hit any ball to the boundary while Hayden was the brute force who cleared the infield with ease.
They played together for Australia from 2001 to 2008 and shared 114 innings as partners. Their total runs together were 5,372 and they had a partnership average of 48.39. They put on 16 century stands which was an impressive number. They were particularly dominant in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups where they destroyed bowling attacks from the very first over.
4. Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden – The Little and Large Test Titans
This Australian opening partnership complemented each other perfectly. Langer was the gritty left hander who provided determination and patience at the crease. Hayden was the towering left hander who provided sheer power and dominance over the bowlers. This little and large duo formed one of the most formidable opening pairs in Test cricket history. They played together from 2001 to 2007 and shared 113 innings as partners.
Their total runs together were 5,655 and they put on 14 century stands. They were the backbone of Australia’s batting line up during their golden era. They were especially successful in the 2002 and 2003 seasons where they put on several massive partnerships. Their most famous stand came against Pakistan in 2002 where they added 197 runs.
5. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan – The Modern Day ODI Destroyers
The most destructive opening partnerships in modern ODI cricket. They had the ability to put on massive stands. Rohit Sharma was the elegant timer of the ball who could convert starts into big hundreds. Dhawan was the aggressive left hander who dominated the power play overs. They played together for India from 2013 to 2022 and shared 115 innings as partners.
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan’s total runs together were 5,148 and they had a partnership average of 45.55. They put on 18 century stands which is a phenomenal number. They were especially successful in ICC tournaments where they gave India flying starts in big matches. They had a famous stand of 210 runs against Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy. Their understanding and timing were perfect and they remain one of the greatest ODI opening pairs in cricket history.
FAQs.
Q. Which opening pair is ranked No. 1?
A. Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly are ranked No. 1.
Q. Which Australian duo ranks third?
A. Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden rank third.
Q. Which pair is called the Test Titans?
A. Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden are called the Test Titans.
Q. Which modern Indian duo ranks fifth?
A. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan rank fifth.
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