IPL 2019: Top 3 explosive opening combinations this season

It is that time of the year, when cricket fans can talk about nothing but IPL. The 12th season of the biggest T20 league will begin on the 23rd of March in Chennai, when CSK will battle it out against RCB. Openers such as Virat Kohli and Shane Watson will be in action during the game, and fans can surely expect fireworks from the get-go.

An aggressive and consistent opening partnership is something that all teams crave for in the T20 format. Most of the franchises in the various T20 leagues around the world have preferred to go in with an aggressive opening combo that will help them take advantage of the power-play, when only 2 fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle.

This season in the Indian Premier League, many franchises have explosive opening combinations that bowlers would be scared of. On that note, let us have a look at the top 3 most explosive opening partnerships which will be in action this season.

#3 David Warner and Jonny Bairstow (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

David Warner and Jonny Bairstow

David Warner was considered as one of the most explosive batsmen in the world before his suspension. After his suspension, he has played in the Global T20 Canada, Caribbean Premier League and Bangladesh Premier League.

He looked in great touch during the BPL, but his time in Bangladesh was cut short due to an elbow injury. He has kept himself busy by playing in the T20 leagues, and this has ensured that he hasn't lost his batting form. He has a strike rate of 142.07 in T20 cricket.

Jonathan Bairstow is one of the best batsmen in the world at present, and has transformed himself into an aggressive and consistent player. He is a versatile player and can bat anywhere.

However, SRH will definitely use him as an opener to extract the most out of him. The wicket-keeper batsman has a strike rate of 128, but he has changed his game a lot and one can expect his strike rate to be higher than that.

Both these players will offer SRH a new dimension, and can give them 50-55 runs in the power play, a luxury which they didn't have in previous seasons. However, they will be available for only the first half of the season, because of World Cup commitments. They also have a reserve opener in the form of Martin Guptill, who is can be deadly on his day.

#2 Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine

Chris Lynn needs no introduction! Regarded as one of the most aggressive batsmen in T20 cricket, he is an absolute monster. He has performed exceptionally in T20 leagues around the globe and has been an impact player for KKR in the IPL over the last 2 seasons. The Brisbane Heat player has a strike rate of 142.3 in T20s. The Australian enjoyed a successful season in 2018 and will look to continue the good work this season.

Sunil Narine's transformation from a bowler, to a pinch hitter at the top, to a proper allrounder has been phenomenal. It was KKR who transformed him into a pinch hitter in 2017, and he hasn't looked back since. He has developed into a ferocious batsman at the top, and even the best of bowlers have been hammered by him. He has a strike rate of 146.5 in the shortest version of the game.

The duo opened together last season and wreaked havoc throughout. One can definitely expect them to play the way that did last season.

#1 Quinton De Kock and Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians)

2nd Momentum ODI: South Africa v Sri Lanka

Quinton De Kock was roped in by Mumbai Indians in the pre-season trade window. He played for RCB last season and fared quite poorly for them. However, he has been in good form over the last 4-5 months, and has plundered runs at the domestic and international level. His addition will bolster Mumbai, but one must remember the fact that he will be available for only half of the season.

Fortunately, Mumbai Indians have a back-up in the form of Evin Lewis who is as destructive as De Kock. Both of them have a strike rate in excess of 135.

Mumbai Indians have 3 Indian options for the 2nd opening slot in the form of Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav. All of them can also bat in the middle-order so, they won't have to bench anyone. The 2nd opening slot will most likely go to Suryakumar as he enjoyed a phenomenal season at the top of the order last season. He scored more than 500 runs and hence, it is likely that he will open. He has a strike rate of 136.1 in T20's.

Even if he doesn't open, the likes of Ishan Kishan and Rohit are also aggressive enough to ensure good starts for the team.

All 5 openers that Mumbai Indians have are very aggressive and irrespective of the 2 who will open, it is quite obvious that they will have the most explosive combo.

Honorable Mention: KL Rahul and Chris Gayle (Kings XI Punjab)