5 Indian batsmen with most runs while opening the batting in ODIs

#2 Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Gangly has been one of the greatest left handers produced by India in ODI cricket. ‘The Prince of Calcutta’ opened the batting for India 236 times in ODIs and scored 9146 runs at an average of 41.57.

Ganguly’s flowing cover drives through the off side, and his ability to hit towering sixes over mid-wicket, will be etched in the minds of cricket fans for a long time. Ganguly and Tendulkar are India's most successful opening pair; they amassed 6619 runs together at the top of the order.

Record as opener: Innings - 236; Runs - 9146; Average - 41.57; 50s - 58; 100s - 19

#1 Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar

At the top of the list comes the ‘God of Cricket’, Sachin Tendulkar. Hailed as the most complete batsman of all time, Tendulkar holds just about every single batting record in ODI cricket, including that for the most runs (18,426), most hundreds (49) and most fifties (96).

The ‘Little Master’ opened the batting for India 340 times and scored a whopping 15310 runs at an average of 48.30. To put this gargantuan record in some perspective, Tendulkar’s aggregate as an opener is higher than the entire career aggregate of the second highest run-scorer of all time in ODI cricket, Kumar Sangakkara (14234 runs).

Tendulkar’s ability to play the straight drive with minimum fuss made him a joy to watch. And his ability to whip the ball between mid-wicket and square leg with the precision of a surgeon made the bowlers scratch their heads in sheer disbelief.

Record as opener: Innings - 340; Runs - 15310; Average - 48.30; 50s - 75; 100s - 45