Top 5 Indian batting pairs in recent history

Like dancing, in cricket, too, it takes two to tango. Cricket is a game where it is essential that you create an understanding with your batting partner at the other end and complement one another to build a match-winning partnership. India have been a force to reckon with since the 2000s, in particular, courtesy of having some world class batsmen who have combined brilliantly with one another.

Here is a list of India’s top 5 batting pairs:

5. Yuvraj Singh – MS Dhoni

Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni

While the two have reportedly had some differences in the recent past, there is no doubt that Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni were one of the most destructive batting pairs in limited-overs cricket when at their best.

With their ability to run quickly between the wickets as well as hit the big shots when necessary, they were an absolute nightmare for bowlers as there was nothing much that could be done to contain them. They were also responsible for making India into one of the best chasing sides in the world, in stark contrast to earlier eras when they would crumble under pressure almost every time.

In all, they scored 3261 runs from 75 innings at an average of 43.48, including 15 half-centuries and 10 centuries.

4. VVS Laxman – Rahul Dravid

VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid

VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid arguably formed the best Test Batting pair India have ever produced. The duo, with their textbook shot selection and concrete defence, caused severe problems to the best bowling attacks in the world during their pomp.

Their ability to stay at the crease for long hours, immense levels of concentration and great batting compatibility, made them come together on several occasions to bail India out of trouble. Their most memorable partnership undoubtedly came against Australia in early 2001, when they notched up a mammoth 376-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Facing a deficit of 274 after the first innings, the magical partnership turned the match on its head as India eventually completed a massive 171-run victory.

From 86 Test innings, the duo scored 4065 runs at an average of 51.45 with 14 half-century and 12 century partnerships.

3. Virender Sehwag – Sachin Tendulkar

Virender Sehwag & Sachin Tendulkar

Often considered to be the most destructive ODI opening pair ever, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar provided unlimited entertainment to cricket lovers around the world with their classy strokeplay. While Sehwag went into every game with the attitude of destroying the bowlers, Tendulkar had a more measured approach and complemented Sehwag’s style perfectly.

They eventually finished up with 4387 ODI runs from 114 innings at an average of 39.87, thereby helping India win many games with their exploits up front. In Tests, they scored 1560 runs from 23 innings at an average of 67.82. In all, then, they had 5947 runs from 137 innings at an average of 43.41.

2. Rahul Dravid – Sachin Tendulkar

Rahul Dravid & Sachin Tendulkar

Among the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket, the dynamic duo of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar needs no introduction. They came to the rescue of the Indian team in the most difficult of situations and steadied the ship time and again. The most successful partnership in Test cricket ever, they scored 6920 runs from 143 innings at a stupendous average of 50.51.

In ODI cricket too, they enjoyed a fair amount of success, with their second-wicket partnership of 331 runs (Sachin 186* and Dravid 153) against New Zealand at Hyderabad in 1999 being the highlight. Overall, across both Test and ODI cricket, they scored 11,037 runs from 241 innings at an average of 45.79.

1. Sourav Ganguly – Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar enjoyed a great partnership with Sourav Ganguly

While India have had many great partnerships in recent years, the top spot goes to Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly for redefining ODI cricket courtesy of their brilliance at the top of the order in the late 1990s. They put together 8227 runs from 176 innings at an average of 47.55 in ODI cricket overall, which is the most by any batting pair.

In that time, they also had 29 half-century and 26 century stands, establishing themselves as the pre-eminent opening pair of their generation in the process. In Tests, they put together 4173 runs from 71 innings at an average of 61.36, including 16 half-century partnerships and 12 century stands. Deservingly, then, they top this list as they have 12400 runs from 247 innings at an average of 50.20 across both Test and ODI cricket.