In this article, we consider 5 pairs of opening batsmen who have registered the highest number of 100-run opening partnerships in ODI cricket. India’s Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly top the list having enjoyed 21-century opening stands during 136 innings with each other.
Sachin Tendulkar – Sourav Ganguly (India): 21
Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly forged the most successful opening partnership in the history of ODI between 1996 and 2007. The duo came together at the wicket on 176 occasions to put on 8227 runs overall, with 26 100-run stands. Of those, 136 innings were opening stands, in which the pair put on 6609 runs, including 21-century partnerships and the highest of 258. That partnership stand came against Kenya in October 2001 in the Standard Bank Triangular tournament played in Paarl. Batting first, India made 351/3, in which Ganguly (111) and Tendulkar (146) were the main scorers. In reply, Kenya was restricted to 165/5 in 50 overs.
Shikhar Dhawan – Rohit Sharma (India): 17
Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma are arguably the most successful pair of openers currently active in ODIs. In all, since 2010, they have come together in 112 innings to put on partnerships worth 5023 runs. In 113 opening stands, the duo have put on 5105 runs at 45.66, including 17-century partnerships and their highest opening stand of 210. That partnership came in an Asia Cup match against their arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai in September 2018. Batting first, Pakistan made 237/7. In reply, India made 238/1, in which Sharma had an unbeaten 111, while Dhawan made 114.
Adam Gilchrist – Matthew Hayden (Australia): 16
Between 2000 and 2008, Australia’s Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden formed a feared pair, forging 117 partnerships for a total of 5409 runs. Of those, 114 were opening stands that yielded 5372 at an average of 48.39, with 16-century stands, including their highest stand of 172. That partnership came in the 2007 World Cup final against Sri Lanka held in Bridgetown. Batting first, Australia scored 281/4, thanks mainly to Gilchrist (149) and Hayden (38). In Reply, Sri Lanka managed only 215/8 in 36 overs of a rain-curtailed game, making Australia the winners by 53 runs (D/L method).
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Gordon Greenidge – Desmond Haynes (West Indies): 15
The legendary batters Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes were opening partners for the West Indies between 1979 and 1991. In all, they enjoyed 113 stands for 5206 runs, including 112 as openers to put on 5150 runs at an average of 52.55. Of these, 15 were century partnerships, including the highest (unbeaten) stand of 192. That partnership happened in the 4th ODI of a series on the West Indies tour of New Zealand in March 1987. Batting first, New Zealand scored 191/9 in 50 overs. Greenidge (133 in 140 balls) and Haynes (53 in 100 balls) helped craft a 10-wicket win.
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Aaron Finch – David Warner (Australia): 12
Between 2014 and 2020, Aaron Finch and David Warner came together in 70 partnerships in ODI games, all of those as openers. The pair put on partnerships worth 3638 runs at 52.72, with 12-century stands, including the highest (unbeaten) partnership of 258. That stand took place against India in Mumbai in 2020. India batted first and was bowled out for 255. Thanks to Finch (110 off 114 balls) and Warner (128 off 112 balls), Australia chased down the target without losing a wicket.
