5 most successful opening pairs for India in ODIs

Indian cricket team is always blessed with match-winning batsmen at the top of the order. From Sunil Gavaskar to Virender Sehwag, the openers have always managed to win matches single-handedly for the Indian national team. It is not only about any one of the openers but is about how to build a strong partnership. One of the important duty of the openers is to build a strong foundation for the team on which the middle order can capitalize. Hence, having a majestic opening pair is a blessing for the team.

Indian cricket team have been lucky to have several successful opening pairs who have won lots of matches for the team including the two World Cups. With their game, the current opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are keeping the legacy intact for India.

Here are the three most successful opening pairs in India's ODI history.

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#5 Sunil Gavaskar and Krishnamachari Srikkanth

Span- 1981-1987

India's very first successful opening pair of Sunil Gavaskar and K Srikkanth

It was the very first successful opening pair for India in the limited overs format. To open the innings, Sunil Gavaskar and K Srikkanth were India's first choice for almost 6 years between 1981 and 1987. The duo which was equally successful in the longest format were dominant in a number of victories for the Indian team in limited overs format, including the first World Cup victory in 1983.

The Gavaskar-Srikkanth pair scored 1680 runs in 55 innings at an average of 30.80, which was an appreciable average at the time. The pair shared two 100 plus and 11 fifty plus partnerships in ODI. Their best partnership was of 136 runs.

#4 Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag

Span- 2003-2013

Opening pair featuring two Delhi boys

These two only got the opportunity to open when India's first choice opener Tendulkar was not available and that is the reason there was a gap of 10 years between their first and last innings together as openers of India. Yet, this partnership, which was highly successful in longest format, managed to produce many unforgettable performances and victories for India.

This all-Delhi duo opened the innings for India in only 38 ODIs in which they scored 1870 runs at a stunning average of 50.54. Gambhir and Sehwag shared five century-plus stands and seven fifty-plus partnerships in ODI cricket, with a partnership of 201 against New Zealand being their best partnership as openers.

#3 Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag

Span- 2002-2012

Sachin-Sehwag pair played a major role for India in 2011 Cricket World Cup

This pair can be at best regarded as the pairing of Master and Student. The pair of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar is one of the most destructive opening pairs in the history of Indian Cricket. While Sehwag was known for his explosive batting, Tendulkar complimented him with his own steady and classy stroke play. The duo played a major role in India's victory in 2011 World Cup.

Playing at the top of the order in 93 innings, the Sachin-Sehwag pair scored 3919 runs at an average of 42.13. These two legends shared 12 century-plus stands and 18 fifty-plus stands in ODIs including their best partnership of 182 runs.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma

Span- 2013-till date

The pair that ripped Pakistan attack in Super Four match of 2018 Asia Cup

This is currently India's opening pair in ODI as well as in T20. This pair surpassed Sehwag and Sachin to become the second most successful opening pair for India in ODIs. Out of the three Indian pairs that feature in the top five list of most century-plus opening partnership Dhawan and Sharma are number two.

The two opened the innings for the first time in 2013 and now have done it 82 times for India in ODIs They have added 3846 runs at an amazing average of 47.80. Along with the best stand of 210 runs against Pakistan, Dhawan and Sharma have shared 13 century-plus stands and 12 fifty-plus stands in ODIs.

#5 Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar

Span- 1996-2007

The most successful pair in the history of ODIs

Unarguably the pair of Ganguly and Sehwag was the best opening pair India ever had. It is not only the best opening pair for India but worlds most successful opening pair in the history of ODIs.

Dada and the God of cricket opened the innings for India on 136 occasions. They added a massive total of 6609 runs at an outstanding average of 49.32. Along with the best stand of 258 runs against Kenya which is also the highest by any Indian opening pair, the duo has shared 21 century-plus stands and 23 fifty-plus stands in ODIs.