In this article, we consider 10 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.
p>Tendulkar and 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 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 were restricted to 165/5 in 50 overs.
2. Shikhar
2. Shikhar Dhawan – Rohit Sharma (India): 17
ikhar 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 110 opening stands, the duo have put on 4978 runs at 45.66, including 17 century partnerships and their highest opening stand of 210. That partnership came in an Asia Cup match against 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.
3. Adam Gi
3. Adam Gilchrist – Matthew Hayden (Australia): 16
tween 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).
4. Gordon Gr
4. Gordon Greenidge – Desmond Haynes (West Indies): 15
on 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.
5. Jonny Bair
5. Jonny Bairstow – Jason Roy (England): 13
Bairstow and Jason Roy have been opening partners for England since 2017. In all, they have come together at the crease 48 times to put on stands worth 2750 runs. Of these, 44 were opening partnerships that yielded 2663 runs at 60.52, with 13 century partnerships, including the maximum of 174. That stand took place in the 4th match of a series against Australia in Chester-le-Street in June 2018. Batting first, Australia made 310 for 8. England chased it down with 6 wickets to spare, thanks mainly to Roy (101) and Bairstow (79).
6. Aaron Finch
6. Aaron Finch – David Warner (Australia): 12
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 were 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.
7. TM Dilshan – U
7. TM Dilshan – Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka): 9
nd Tharanga formed an opening partnership for Sri Lanka between 2009 and 2014. In all, they partnered each other 77 times in stands worth 3367 runs. Of those, 71 were opening partnerships for 3159 runs at 45.12, with 9 century stands, including their highest partnership of 282. They achieved that stand in a World Cup match against Zimbabwe played in Kandy in March 2011. Thanks to Tharanga (133) and Dilshan (144), Sri Lanka, who batted first, made 327/6 before bowling out Zimbabwe for 188.
8. Herschelle Gibbs –
8. Herschelle Gibbs – Gary Kirsten (South Africa): 9
sten formed a successful opening pair for South Africa between 1996 and 2003. In all, the pair came together 68 times to score 2906 runs. Of those, 66 were opening stands that yielded 2838 runs at 46.52, with 9 century stands including the highest of 235. That stand happened when South Africa met India in the 1st ODI of a series in Kochi in March 2000. Batting first, South Africa made 301/3, mainly due to Kirsten’s 115 and Gibbs’s 111. In reply, India made 302/7, handing South Africa a one-run victory.
9. Adam Gilchrist – Mark
9. Adam Gilchrist – Mark Waugh (Australia): 8
d Mark Waugh came together as openers for Australia between 1998 and 2002. In all, they enjoyed 97 partnerships to score 3992 runs. Of those, 93 were opening stands that yielded 3853 runs at 41.43, with 8 century stands, including the highest of 206. That stand came in the third match of a series against West Indies in Brisbane in January 2001. Batting first, the visitors made 234/8. Australia won by 9 wickets, thanks to Gilchrist (98) and Waugh (112).
10. Atapattu – Sanath Jayasur
10. Atapattu – Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka): 8
ya enjoyed a successful stint as opening partners for Sri Lanka between 1997 and 2007. In all, the pair came together at the crease on 144 occasions to score 5462 runs, including 14 century stands. Of those, 79 were opening partnerships that resulted in 3382 runs at 43.92, with 8 century stands, including the highest of 237. That partnership transpired during the 6th match of a series against Australia in Sydney in January 2003. Batting first, Sri Lanka made 343/5, thanks to Jayasuriya 9122 off 105 balls) and Atapattu (101 off 124). In reply, Australia were bowled out for 264.
