Openers hold a vital position in any batting lineup, especially at the start of an innings. They are not only responsible for scoring runs but also for shielding the rest of the batting order from the threat of the new ball, which is more prone to taking wickets than the older, softer one.
Over the years, India has produced numerous legendary openers who have played a pivotal role in the team’s dominance across all formats.
5. Shikhar Dhawan – 10,876 runs
Shikhar Dhawan, one of India’s most underrated openers, made his mark with a spectacular 187-run debut in Tests against Australia in 2013.
Known for his consistent performances in ICC tournaments, Dhawan was India’s top scorer in the 2013 Champions Trophy, amassing 363 runs in five games, including two centuries.
He retired in 2024, having scored 10,876 runs in all three formats, averaging 39.66, with 24 centuries to his name.
4. Sunil Gavaskar – 12,258 runs
Regarded as one of India’s greatest Test openers, Sunil Gavaskar scored 12,258 runs as an opener at an average of 46.08, with 2,651 of those runs coming in ODIs.
Beyond the stats, Gavaskar inspired generations to take up cricket, becoming the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket.
He accumulated 34 centuries and 67 half-centuries in international cricket as an opener.
3. Sachin Tendulkar – 15,335 runs
Sachin Tendulkar’s name is synonymous with batting records, having scored 15,335 runs as an opener, nearly all of them (15,310) in ODIs, at an average of 48.07, including 45 centuries.
A legendary figure in cricket, Tendulkar remains the only batsman to score 100 international centuries.
He retired in 2013, leaving behind a legacy unmatched in cricket history.
2. Rohit Sharma – 15,404 runs
Rohit Sharma, one of India’s most elegant batsmen, has been a key figure in all formats as an opener. His career took a major turn when MS Dhoni promoted him to open during the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
Rohit started opening in Tests in 2019 and has since scored 15,404 international runs as an opener at an average of 45.43, including 44 centuries.
He also holds the record for the most double centuries in ODIs, with three to his name.
1. Virender Sehwag – 15,758 runs
Virender Sehwag is India’s highest run-scorer as an opener in international cricket, with 15,758 runs at an average of 41.9 across all formats.
Promoted to open by captain Sourav Ganguly, Sehwag transformed the role with his aggressive style, providing blistering starts.
He scored 36 centuries and 65 half-centuries, with his highest score of 319 coming against South Africa in Chennai in Test cricket.