Cricket, often dubbed the “gentleman’s game,” has witnessed numerous iconic moments and outstanding players throughout its rich history. Among the various positions in cricket, the role of an opener holds immense importance, setting the tone for the innings and facing the new ball in challenging conditions. As we delve into the archives of cricketing history, we compile a list of the top 10 best cricket openers of all time, whose remarkable skills, consistency, and ability to tackle the best bowling attacks make them legendary figures in the sport.
Note: Champion Peoples is not affiliated with any of the openers listed below
Sachin Tendulkar
The first place in our list is occupied by the Indian legend, Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar. Having scored more than 34000 international runs, Sachin has mostly played as an opener his entire career.
He holds many records in ODI and Test cricket for batsmen, including the first-ever double-century in ODI cricket. He was the best opener in the world at the time, purely based on runs scored. Sachin was a complete batsman, capable of playing attacking cricket according to the situation.
And most importantly, he was able to cope with the gigantic expectations of Indian cricket fans. That is why many fans, cricket experts, and his colleagues call him the god of cricket.
Rohit Sharma
The swashbuckling Indian opener is placed at number two. Ever since he started opening the innings for the team in 2013, it’s almost as if he is on another level altogether. Not only has he cemented his place in the team, but he has also established himself as one of the best openers in cricket. Furthermore, he has broken numerous records along the way.
He, along with Shikhar Dhawan, have formed an opening pair that has tormented bowlers left and right. Rohit is known to take his time to dig into his innings, but once he starts firing, there is no stopping him. The “Hitman” also holds the record of being the only player to have scored three double centuries in ODI cricket, with his high score being 264. Hitman is undoubtedly one of the world best opener of current times.
Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla, born on March 31, 1983, in Durban, South Africa, is widely regarded as one of the most elegant and prolific opening batsmen in contemporary cricket. Amla’s batting style is characterized by its grace and technical finesse, making him a formidable force at the top of the order.
He made his Test debut for South Africa in 2004 and went on to establish himself as a mainstay in the team, known for his ability to anchor the innings and play long, impactful innings. Amla holds the record for being the fastest to reach 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 runs in ODIs, reflecting his consistency and class.
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Tillakaratne Dilshan is a retired Sri Lankan cricketer always known as an excellent opener. Dilshan is also known by his full name Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan. Till now Tillakaratne has played a total of 330 matches in ODI cricket, in which a total of 10,290 runs have been scored.
David Warner
David Warner, the explosive Australian opening batsman, has carved a niche for himself in the cricketing world with his aggressive and fearless style of play. Warner’s rise to stardom has been nothing short of extraordinary. His relentless ability to take on the bowlers from the word go has made him one of the most feared openers in the game. In addition to his international success, Warner has been a pivotal figure in various T20 leagues around the world, including the Indian Premier League (IPL).
His consistency in limited-overs cricket, coupled with his leadership skills as the captain of the Australian team, underscores his significance in the cricketing landscape. Warner’s audacious stroke-play and unwavering self-belief have made him a crowd favorite and a driving force in Australian cricket.
Gordon Greenidge
At number six, we have Gordon Greenidge, who is regarded as one of the best openers in cricket history. The former West Indian opener was well known for his controlled stroke-play and his ability to navigate the innings. Throughout his career, he scored a total of 12,692 runs.
A destructive opener, Greenidge made his debut for West Indies against India at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium, Bangalore in 1974. What’s worth noting here is that this was the debut match for another West Indian legend: Sir Vivian Richards.
Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan, often referred to as the ‘Gabbar’ of Indian cricket, is a stylish left-handed opening batsman known for his aggressive yet elegant batting style. Born on December 5, 1985, in Delhi, Dhawan made a sensational international debut, scoring the fastest century by a debutant in Test cricket against Australia in 2013.
A vital member of the Indian limited-overs squads, Dhawan played a pivotal role in India’s triumph in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2018 Asia Cup. His ability to dominate the opposition with his fluent stroke play and adept footwork has made him a consistent performer at the top of the order. Dhawan’s impact extends beyond his cricketing skills, as his vibrant personality and celebratory ‘thigh-five’ moments with teammates have endeared him to fans globally.
Shane Watson
Shane Watson was an uncompromising cricketer who faced injuries early in his career but has since found his spot for Australia. He emerged as one of the most lethal openers in cricket history with an average of almost 46.
He could score runs easily at the top of the order and has really come into his own over the last few years of his career. The dashing Aussie was known for his bloodthirsty batting style and was a real nightmare for the bowlers when he was in his mode.
Quinton De Kock
Quinton de Kock, a South African wicketkeeper-batsman, has been a standout performer in the world of cricket since his debut. Known for his aggressive and free-flowing batting style, de Kock has made a significant impact in both One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 cricket. He burst onto the scene with a series of impressive performances, including three consecutive centuries in a three-match ODI series against India in 2013.
With a strike rate of 98 and an average of 43.34 in ODIs, he has notched up six centuries and fifteen fifties. De Kock’s ability to adapt to various formats and his aggressive approach make him a crucial asset for the South African team, particularly as an opener.
Alastair Cook
At number 10 in the list of best openers in Cricket, we have the former captain of the English Cricket team, Alastair Cook. The left-hander made his debut against India back in 2006. He was a last-minute replacement for Marcus Trescothick.
He went on to score a century in the test match. Cook is the leading Test run-scorer for England, and the youngest player to score 12,000 Test runs. Cook has scored a record 33 Test centuries for England and is the first England player to win 50 Test matches.
