Hey cricket fanatic, wanna know who is the best opener batsman in the world? This guide has all the information for you. So stay tuned!
When we talk about batting in cricket, scoring runs, or chasing targets, the openers form the backbone. Their role is crucial as they face the first deliveries of the match and set the tone for the rest of the batting lineup. Openers need to be skilled at facing the new ball, negotiating tricky bowling conditions, and laying a solid foundation for their team’s innings.
Over the years, there have been a number of cricketers who are tagged as the finest when it comes to taking the strike at the initial stages of the match. In the upcoming article; we will walk you through the list of best opening batters of all time. Read on!
Table of Contents
Top 10 Best Openers in the World of Cricket
Before going into the list and finding out who is the best cricket opener in the world, it’s important to grasp a few key concepts.
Firstly, it’s important to note that the position of any player in a cricketing squad isn’t fixed, and the same goes for openers. Although the stats mentioned below accumulate the entire career of a player regardless of where they played. We made sure to include those cricketers who have predominantly played as opening batters for the most part of their career.
Secondly, you need to keep in mind that we’ve used a ranking system to evaluate the performance of cricket openers and list them in a specific order. The table below includes several key metrics about the best opener in the world at present and from the years down the line. These are:
- Rank: This indicates the position of each player in the ranking, with the best performer typically ranked highest.
- Name: The name of the cricket player being evaluated.
- International Matches: This represents the number of matches the player has participated in at the international level.
- Innings (Inn.): The number of times the player has gone out to bat in international cricket matches.
- Runs: The total number of runs scored by the player in all formats combined.
- Average: This figure represents the average number of runs scored per inning by the player. It provides insight into their consistency.
- Country: The country that the player represents in international cricket.
Based on the data available and close analysis of each player, here is the list of Top 10 best opener in the world.
The Best Opener in the World: Top 10
Rank |
Name | International Matches | Inn. | Runs | Average | Country |
1 |
Sachin Tendulkar | 664 | 782 | 34357 | 43.93 | India |
2 | Sanath Jayasuriya | 586 | 651 | 21032 | 32.30 |
Sri Lanka |
3 |
Matthew Hayden | 273 | 348 | 15066 | 43.29 | Australia |
4 | Rohit Sharma | 471* | 497* | 18718 | 37.66 |
India |
5 |
David Warner | 376* | 467* | 18817 | 40.29 | Australia |
6 | Hashim Amla | 349 | 437 | 18672 | 42.72 |
South Africa |
7 |
Adam Gilchrist | 396 | 429 | 15461 | 36.03 | Australia |
8 | Alastair Cook | 257 | 387 | 15737 | 40.66 |
England |
9 |
Virender Sehwag | 374 | 443 | 17253 | 38.94 | India |
10 | Chris Gayle | 483 | 551 | 19593 | 35.55 |
West Indies |
Sachin Tendulkar: Best Opener in the World of All Time
Sachin Tendulkar, the “Master Blaster,” is a cricketing legend. Widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in history, he holds numerous records. These include the highest run-scorer in both ODIs and Tests, the most centuries scored across all formats, and much more. His elegant strokeplay, unwavering focus, and longevity in the game set him apart.
Tendulkar’s adaptability, technique, and ability to dominate bowlers from the outset make him the best opener. His consistency across formats and unmatched cricketing intelligence earned him this distinction.
Test | ODI | T20I | |
M |
200 | 463 | 1 |
Inn | 329 | 452 |
1 |
Runs |
15921 | 18426 | 10 |
HS | 248* | 200* |
10 |
Avg |
53.8 | 44.8 |
10.0 |
SR |
– | 86.2 | 119.8 |
100 | 51 | 49 |
0 |
200 |
6 | 1 | 0 |
50 | 68 | 96 |
0 |
Sanath Jayasuriya: Cricket Best Opener in the World for Sri Lanka
Sanath Jayasuriya, a Sri Lankan dynamo, revolutionized ODI cricket. His explosive batting alongside the likes of Romesh Kaluwitharana, Dilshan, and more changed the approach of Sri Lankan cricket. As a left-handed opener, he combined power-hitting with finesse. That, too, with aggressive running between the wickets, Jayasuriya became one of the most loved ODI openers in no time.
Jayasuriya’s fearless approach often disrupted the bowlers’ plans. His impact during Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup triumph and his role in shaping modern-day batting strategies cement his status as a top opener.
Test | ODI | T20I | |
M |
110 | 445 | 31 |
Inn | 188 | 433 |
30 |
Runs |
6973 | 13430 | 629 |
HS | 340 | 189 |
88 |
Avg |
40.1 | 32.4 | 23.3 |
SR | – | 91.2 |
129.2 |
100 |
14 | 28 | 0 |
200 | 3 | 0 |
0 |
50 | 31 | 68 |
4 |
Matthew Hayden: Best Opener in the World in Cricket Australia
Matthew Hayden is an Australian powerhouse who dominated the early 2000s. He was a left-handed batsman known for his aggressive style of play. Hayden’s ability to hit the ball out of the park right from ball one made him a nightmare for bowlers. He is considered to be one of the pioneers that changed how openers play.
Hayden’s ability to dismantle attacks with raw power and consistency makes him the best. His partnership with Adam Gilchrist set the tone for Australia’s golden era.
Test | ODI | T20I | |
M |
103 | 161 | 9 |
Inn | 184 | 155 |
9 |
Runs |
8625 | 6133 | 308 |
HS | 380 | 181* |
73* |
Avg |
50.7 | 43.8 | 51.3 |
SR | 60.1 | 79.0 |
143.9 |
100 |
30 | 10 | 0 |
200 | 2 | 0 |
0 |
50 | 29 | 36 |
4 |
Rohit Sharma: Best Opener in the World in All Formats
Rohit Sharma, the Hitman of the Indian cricket team, combines elegance with explosive strokeplay. His timing, six-hitting prowess, and leadership skills stand out. He holds records for most double centuries in ODIs and T20I centuries that too batting as an opener.
Rohit’s adaptability across formats, ability to build innings, and penchant for big scores make him the premier opener. In the modern era of cricket, where strike rate is an important factor, Rohit ensures to capitalize on powerplay overs, score big runs at a quick rate, and leave the opposition reeling.
Test | ODI | T20I | |
M |
58 | 262 | 151 |
Inn | 100 | 254 |
143 |
Runs |
4035 | 10709 | 3974 |
HS | 212 | 264 |
121* |
Avg |
44.8 | 49.1 | 31.8 |
SR | 56.9 | 92.0 |
140.0 |
100 |
11 | 31 | 5 |
200 | 1 | 3 |
0 |
50 | 17 | 55 |
29 |
David Warner: Best T20 Opener in the World
David Warner is another Australian left-hander, often considered a limited-over specialist. His aggressive style and innovative shots redefine opening batting in both international and domestic cricket. Be it the ICC events or the Indian Premier League; there are numerous occasions when Warner came out to bat and took the game away from the opponent right from the first ball.
Warner’s fearless approach and consistent run-scoring in powerplays make him the best. His impact in recent World Cups and T20Is solidifies his position as the best opener in the world present today.
Test | ODI | T20I | |
M |
112 | 161 | 103 |
Inn | 205 | 159 |
103 |
Runs |
8786 | 6932 | 3099 |
HS | 335* | 179 |
100* |
Avg |
44.6 | 45.3 | 33.7 |
SR | 70.2 | 97.3 |
142.7 |
100 |
26 | 22 | 1 |
200 | 3 | 0 |
0 |
50 | 37 | 33 |
26 |
Hashim Amla: Best Test Opener in the World for RSA
Hashim Amla, a former international cricketer, was a master of cricketing precision. His serene strokeplay, errorless technique, unwavering concentration, and game awareness made him a standout opener batsman. Playing for the South African cricket team, Amla scored nearly 19000 runs, including a test triple century against England at Oval.
Amla’s ability to anchor innings, adapt to various conditions, and consistently score runs against top-quality attacks earned him the title of the best. Whether as an opener or in the middle order, Amla delivered many record-breaking performances in Cricket.
Test | ODI | T20I | |
M |
124 | 181 | 44 |
Inn | 215 | 178 |
44 |
Runs |
9282 | 8113 | 1277 |
HS | 311* | 159 |
97* |
Avg |
46.6 | 49.5 | 33.6 |
SR | 50.0 | 88.4 |
132.1 |
100 |
28 | 27 | 0 |
200 | 4 | 0 |
0 |
50 | 41 | 39 |
8 |
Adam Gilchrist: Best Aggressive Opening Batsman in ODI Cricket
Adam Gilchrist, an Australian left-hander, is undoubtedly the best wicketkeeper batsman of all time. His explosive style, fearless approach, and record-breaking performances set new standards and refined how a wicketkeeper plays as an opening batter.
Gilchrist’s aggressive intent from ball one, combined with his exceptional glovework, made him the best. He was a key part of Australia’s dominant era cricketing fans often talk about. Whenever the team needed someone to start the inning with a bang, Gilly used to deliver at a whopping strike rate.
Test | ODI | T20I | |
M |
96 | 287 | 13 |
Inn | 137 | 279 |
13 |
Runs |
5570 | 9619 | 272 |
HS | 204* | 172 |
48 |
Avg |
47.6 | 35.9 | 22.7 |
SR | 82.0 | 96.9 |
141.7 |
100 |
17 | 16 | 0 |
200 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
50 | 26 | 55 |
0 |
Alastair Cook: Best Opener in the World in Test
Alastair Cook, the former England captain, was renowned for his solid technique and unwavering temperament as an opening batsman. He possessed a classical style, often anchoring the innings and building a strong foundation for his team.
Nicknamed “The Cook,” he holds the record for most Test runs for England and is considered one of the best opening batsmen of his generation. Although there is nothing much to talk about Cook’s limited overs cricket career, experts do consider him the best opening batsman when it comes to red ball cricket.
Test |
ODI | T20I | |
M |
161 | 92 | 4 |
Inn | 291 | 92 |
4 |
Runs |
12472 | 3204 | 61 |
HS | 294 | 137 |
26 |
Avg |
45.4 | 36.4 | 15.2 |
SR | 47.0 | 77.1 |
113.0 |
100 |
33 | 5 | 0 |
200 | 5 | 0 |
0 |
50 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
Virender Sehwag: One of the Best Indian Opening Batsmen in Limited Overs Cricket
Virender Sehwag, the swashbuckling Indian opener, was an aggressive force on the field. He was known for his natural attacking instincts and ability to score quickly, often taking the bowling attack by storm from the very first ball.
He is one of those Indian players who redefined the art of attacking batting. His audacious strokeplay, especially in the early overs, demoralized bowlers. Sehwag’s mantra was simple: “See ball, hit ball.
Viru played a crucial role in India’s rise as a dominant cricketing force. He made the players believe in taking the attack and striking fear into the opening bowlers.
Test |
ODI | T20I | |
M |
104 | 251 | 19 |
Inn | 180 | 245 |
18 |
Runs |
8586 | 8273 | 394 |
HS | 319 | 219 |
68 |
Avg |
49.3 | 35.0 | 21.9 |
SR | 82.2 | 104.3 |
145.4 |
100 |
23 | 15 | 0 |
200 | 6 | 1 |
0 |
50 | 32 | 38 |
2 |
Chris Gayle: Best Opener in the World T20 and ODI
Finally, to wrap up our list, we’ve got the Universe Boss, Chris Gayle. This big man from Jamaica made his debut at just 20 years old. Since then, he has established himself as one of the most destructive opening batters of all time.
Gayle’s role was to provide explosive starts. His mandate: entertain the crowd, clear the boundaries, and put the opposition on the back foot. Be it test cricket, ODI, or T20, Chris used to portray his role as a destructive opening batsman with utmost sincerity. This is probably why, aside from international cricket, Chris Gayle is often considered the best opener in the world in IPL.
Test | ODI | T20I | |
M |
103 | 301 | 79 |
Inn | 182 | 294 |
75 |
Runs |
7214 | 10480 | 1899 |
HS | 333 | 215 |
117 |
Avg |
42.2 | 37.8 | 27.9 |
SR | 60.3 | 87.2 |
137.5 |
100 |
15 | 25 | 2 |
200 | 3 | 1 |
0 |
50 | 37 | 54 |
14 |
Honorable Mentions: Best Cricket Opener in the World
Sourav Ganguly
International Matches |
Inn. | Runs | Average | Country |
424 | 488 | 18575 | 38.06 |
India |
Tilakratne Dilshan
International Matches |
Inn. | Runs | Average | Country |
497 | 527 | 17671 | 33.53 |
Sri Lanka |
Quinton de Kock
International Matches | Inn. | Runs | Average | Country |
289* |
325* | 12347 | 37.99 |
South Africa |
Saeed Anwar
International Matches | Inn. | Runs | Average | Country |
302 |
335 | 12876 | 38.43 |
Pakistan |
Top 10 Best Opening Pairs in T20 Cricket
The format of cricket has evolved, and so have the players. In T20 matches, where everything is fast-paced, the demand for an innovative and creative batsman and an aggressive opener peaked. Many answered the call, and that’s why today, we find the most feared openers.
If you wonder which is the best opening pair in T20 cricket, we’ve got the list for you. We’ve curated a list for you, ensuring a fair comparison by setting a benchmark of at least 30 matches played together. This means that all of the 10 pairs on our list have opened the innings together in 30 or more matches and put up an exceptional show.
Let’s explore the top 10 best opening pairs in the history of T20 cricket:
# |
Players | Count. | Years | Mat | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | 100s | 50s |
1 |
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan | PAK | 2021-2023 | 51 | 2 | 2400 | 203* | 48.97 | 8 | 9 |
2 | S Dhawan, RG Sharma | IND | 2013-2019 | 52 | 0 | 1743 | 160 | 33.51 | 4 |
7 |
3 |
KJ O’Brien, PR Stirling | IRE | 2019-2021 | 40 | 0 | 1576 | 154 | 39.40 | 3 | 10 |
4 | KJ Coetzer, HG Munsey | SCOT | 2015-2021 | 44 | 0 | 1571 | 200 | 35.70 | 2 |
10 |
5 |
KL Rahul, RG Sharma | IND | 2017-2022 | 34 | 0 | 1412 | 165 | 41.52 | 4 | 6 |
6 | AJ Finch, DA Warner | AUS | 2012-2022 | 39 | 3 | 1401 | 134* | 38.91 | 4 |
5 |
7 |
AR Patwa, II Selemani | TAN | 2021-2023 | 46 | 3 | 1376 | 112 | 32.00 | 1 | 12 |
8 | DA Warner, SR Watson | AUS | 2009-2015 | 32 | 0 | 1108 | 133 | 34.62 | 3 |
6 |
9 |
A Balbirnie, PR Stirling | IRE | 2015-2023 | 40 | 0 | 1099 | 103 | 27.47 | 1 |
9 |
10 | Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz | AFG | 2019-2024 | 30 | 0 | 1056 | 90 | 35.20 | – |
9 |
Top 10 Best Opening Pairs in Test Cricket
Test cricket, the longest and most challenging format of the game, truly separates the men from the boys. In this arena, batters face relentless bowling attacks over multiple days. To be the best, one must have a perfect blend of resilience, skill, and technique.
Openers in cricket, specifically, bear the brunt of these challenges. The reason is simple: they face opposition bowling attacks upfront and have the objective of laying a solid foundation for their team’s innings.
To excel in this format, a batter must master the art of being a complete batsman. He should be able to see off the new ball and be a creative batsman at the same time to tackle various bowling strategies.
Following are the top 10 best test opening pairs of all time:
# |
Players | Country | Years | Inn. | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | 100s | 50s |
1 |
CG Greenidge, DL Haynes | WI | 1978-1991 | 148 | 11 | 6482 | 298 | 47.31 | 16 | 26 |
2 | ML Hayden, JL Langer | AUS | 2001-2007 | 113 | 4 | 5655 | 255 | 51.88 | 14 |
24 |
3 |
AN Cook, AJ Strauss | ENG | 2006-2012 | 117 | 2 | 4711 | 229 | 40.96 | 12 | 18 |
4 | MS Atapattu, ST Jayasuriya | SL | 1997-2007 | 118 | 7 | 4469 | 335 | 40.26 | 9 |
24 |
5 |
G Gambhir, V Sehwag | IND | 2004-2012 | 87 | 3 | 4412 | 233 | 52.52 | 11 | 25 |
6 | MJ Slater, MA Taylor | AUS | 1993-1999 | 78 | 2 | 3887 | 260 | 51.14 | 10 |
16 |
7 |
WM Lawry, RB Simpson | AUS | 1961-1968 | 62 | 3 | 3596 | 382 | 60.94 | 9 | 18 |
8 | JB Hobbs, H Sutcliffe | ENG | 1924-1930 | 38 | 1 | 3249 | 283 | 87.81 | 15 |
10 |
9 |
CPS Chauhan, SM Gavaskar | IND | 1973-1981 | 59 | 3 | 3010 | 213 | 53.75 | 10 |
10 |
10 | HH Gibbs, GC Smith | SA | 2002-2008 | 56 | 3 | 2983 | 368 | 56.28 | 7 |
10 |
Final Words on Best Opener in the World Cricket
That wraps up our guide on the best opener in the world of cricket. Here, you’ve learned about the elite opening batters who are presently retired and also the current best opener in the world who is dominating the modern-day formats of the game.
Equipped with these pieces of information, you now not only know the sports better but also have become more able to make accurate predictions. Understanding who the all time best opener in the world is or which pair scores the most runs in Test, T20, or One Day International cricket, you can now pick the MVPs of the game, bet on them, and win.
Why wait, then? Browse the official website or download the Parimatch app. Create a new account or log in to your existing profile. Tune in to any ongoing/upcoming cricket match, make a prediction, and wager like a pro!
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FAQs
Who is best opener in the world?
The Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, often referred to as the God of Cricket, is the best opener in the world of all time.
Who is the best opener batsman in the world?
Sachin Tendulkar is the best ODI opener in the world to have played the game. The likes of Sunil Gavaskar, Mathew Hayden, and Jack Hobbs are all-time great openers in test cricket.
Who is the best opener in the world right now?
In limited overs cricket, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, is the present best opener in the world.
Who is the best opener in world cricket?
Rohit Sharma is undoubtedly the best opener in the world now. Other notable names in the list include Shubnam Gill, Quinton de Kock, and Jos Buttler.
Who is the best opener in the world currently?
Rohit Sharma is the best current opener in the world, especially in T20 and ODIs. In test matches, Australia’s Usman Tariq Khawaja can be considered the best opener in the world at present.
Who is the best opener in the world in T20?
David Warner and Mohammed Rizwan are the best opening batsmen in T20 cricket.
Who is the best opener in the world in ODI?
Rohit Sharma is presently the best opening batsman in ODI cricket.