Best Five Opening Pairs in IPL History

Best Opening Pairs in IPL History :The Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) has seen some sensational opening pairs over the years that have absolutely blown away oppositions. Let’s take a look at five of the greatest opening batting pairs in IPL history.

When we talk about the best opening pairs in IPL, consistency and match-winning impact are two of the most important factors to consider. There have been partnerships that have amassed huge runs but lacked the ability to force results. At the same time, some relatively low-key pairs have repeatedly set up match-winning totals. 

This list focuses on identifying the most successful and dependable opening pairs in IPL who have done it year after year for their teams. Factors like chemistry between partners, consistency across seasons and the ability to adapt to various match situations have been given preference.

#1. David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan

The opening partnership of David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan for the Sunrisers Hyderabad has been one of the most successful in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Together, they have scored over 4000 runs at an average of 56, making them a formidable pair.

Both Warner and Dhawan are among the top run-scorers in the IPL. Their powerful batting has often put pressure on the opposing teams. Warner’s aggressive style and Dhawan’s traditional approach have made them one of the most feared opening pairs in the IPL. They played a key role in the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s successful 2016 season.

However, other notable opening pairs in IPL history include KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock, who hold the record for the highest opening partnership with 210 runs, and Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, who have scored over 1000 runs together in a single IPL edition.

 #2. Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli

When IPL stars Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli opened the batting for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, they created a lot of excitement. Together, they scored over 2812 runs at an average of nearly 50.Gayle was at his best during this time, often giving the Bangalore team a strong start.

Kohli built on these starts, playing a steady role. Both players had great individual seasons while batting together, showing their strong partnership.Even though the Bangalore team didn’t win the championship during the time Gayle and Kohli played together, they passed the baton from one great player to another smoothly when they batted together.

#3.  Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay

The successful run of the Chennai Super Kings between 2010-15 was largely due to the strong opening pair of Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay.
Known as “Mr Cricket”, Hussey lived up to his name by providing calm and steady starts. Vijay balanced this by attacking the bowlers early in the game.
Together, they scored 1367 runs at an average of over 40, often giving the Super Kings a strong start. Their partnership of 159 runs in the 2011 final against the Royal Challengers Bangalore helped the Super Kings win their first IPL championship.

 #4. Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa

When the Kolkata Knight Riders won their second IPL title in 2014, the opening batsmen Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa were a big part of their success.
Gambhir, who was the captain, scored over 450 runs that season. Uthappa scored 660 runs with a very fast strike rate of nearly 140, surprising the other teams.
Together, they made important partnerships of over 100 runs in the playoffs, which took pressure off the rest of the Knight Riders’ batting lineup. Their strong starts were a key part of the Knight Riders’ victory that year.

 #5.  Shane Watson and  Faf du Plessis

The Chennai Super Kings found a great opening pair in Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis when they came back from a 2-year suspension in 2018.Both batsmen did really well in the next few seasons, averaging over 40 runs together at the start of the innings. They often gave the Super Kings strong, if not explosive, starts, keeping a good run rate.
Watson’s unbeaten 117 runs won them the 2018 final, and Faf’s 67 runs helped them reach the 2019 final. Their steady performance and ability to stay calm under pressure really stood out for the Super Kings.

 Conclusion

These five opening pairs have made their mark in IPL history, showing how strong batting at the start can shape the success of any T20 team.
As teams prepare their squads for the upcoming IPL 2023 season, everyone will be watching to see who the new opening pairs will be. We can expect plenty of excitement from the new pairs that teams try out at the top of their lineups.