Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were on fire against the West Indies in Guwahati in the 2nd ODI as the opening duo put up a stellar partnership of 255 runs for the first wicket. It is also the 2nd highest
opening partnership ever for India in ODIs as the opening pair of Saurav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar reigns supreme at the top with a 258-run opening partnership.
The partnership between Rohit and Gill set the tone for the innings as India were handed a huge target of 406 to chase from the 50 overs. India’s fierce start to the second innings seemed to have cleared all the doubts regarding the possibility of chasing down a total above 400.
Top 5 highest opening partnerships for India in ODI
The opening-wicket partnership is considered to be one of the most important aspects in ODI cricket as the openers are handed the task to lay the foundation for the innings. The ability to negotiate the swing of the new ball in the first 10 overs is the most crucial aspect for batters.
Here’s a list of the top 5 highest opening wicket partnerships for India in One-Day Internationals:
- Sourav Ganguly & Sachin Tendulkar (258 runs vs. Kenya, 2001)
The legendary opening pair of Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar tops the list with a sensational partnership of 258 runs against Kenya in 2001. The match between India and Kenya was held as part of the Standard Bank Triangular Tournament in South Africa. Both the batters scored centuries in the innings and it was one of the most of the duo.
- Rohit Sharma & Shubman Gill (255 runs vs West Indies, 2026)
Rohit Sharma & Shubman Gill set the foundation for a mammoth run chase for 406 with a 255-run partnership for the 1st wicket. Rohit Sharma hammered a brilliant 101 off just 75 balls and Shubman Gill scored a sensational ton as well. This is the second highest opening partnership for India in One-Day Internationals.
STAT ALERT: Shubman Gill creates history with fastest ODI double century in 118 balls
- Sourav Ganguly & Sachin Tendulkar (252 runs vs. Sri Lanka, 1998)
During the 3rd match of the Singer-Akai Nidahas Trophy 1998, Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar put on a masterclass of 252 runs against Sri Lanka. Tendulkar played a masterclass knock of 128 off 131 balls along with Sourav Ganguly who scored 109 off 112 balls.
Their partnership dismantled the bowling unit of the hosts on their home turf and they set the new world record for the highest partnership for any wicket in ODI cricket history.
- Shikhar Dhawan & Ajinkya Rahane (231 runs vs. Sri Lanka, 2014)
Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane combined brilliantly in 2014 to script a fantastic 231-run opening partnership against Sri Lanka in 2014. Shikhar Dhawan played a fantastic knock of 91 off 79 balls along with Ajinkya Rahane who scored 111 off 108 balls. This remains India’s fourth highest opening wicket-partnership in One-Day Internationals.
- KL Rahul & Rohit Sharma (227 runs vs. West Indies, 2019)
In 2019, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma dismantled the West Indian bowling attack with a brilliant 227-run stand. Rohit Sharma was at his destructive best scoring 159 off 138 balls and on the other hand, KL Rahul played his part with a brilliant 102 off 104 balls.
At that point in time, it was the highest opening-wicket partnership against the West Indies for India.
