5 Best Opening Batsmen in T20 World Cup
A destructive opening batsman is one of the most prized assets in T20 cricket. Given the fact that the power-play overs are the most important ones for any batting side, the openers thus have an important role to play in setting the foundation for big totals and thereby helping their side win the contest.
Over the years, T-20 cricket has seen a drastic change and the role of openers has become of utmost importance. While a lot has struggled to cope up with the expectations, some have carved out a niche for themselves, unleashing a plethora of runs at the top of the order in T-20 cricket.
let’s take a look at the top with five opening batsmen with the most number of runs in the T20 world cup:
#1. Rohit Sharma (India)
Rohit Sharma might have not started his career on a great note, but, the Mumbai batsman, today, has become one of the vital cogs in Indian cricket. Currently, the vice-captain of India’s limited over’s side, Rohit Sharma leads the chart for the most number of runs as an opening batsman in T20 cricket.
As an opening batsman, he has scored 2312 runs in 75 innings at an average of 33.04. 20
Rohit Sharma has played for India in 224 one-day internationals so far and has scored 9115 runs at an average of 49.3, while he has also represented in 32 test matches where he has amassed 2141 runs at an average of 46.5.
Besides, Rohit Sharma has played 108 T20 internationals so far and has also 188 games to his name in his IPL career.
#2. Martin Guptill (New Zealand)
A destructive T20 batsman, Martin Guptill needs no introduction. When on the song, the New Zealand cricketer can win the match on his own with his aggressive style of play.
Guptill is the second-highest run-getter in the T-20 cricket as an opening batsman. In his 70-inning T20 career as an opening batsman, Guptill has scored 2209 runs at an average of 33.98. Overall, he has played 85 innings, scoring 2536 runs with an average of 32.51.
Guptill has represented New Zealand in 182 one-day internationals and 47 tests, averaging 42.5 and 29.4 respectively.
#3. Paul Stirling (Ireland)
Ireland’s opening batsman, Paul Stirling has positioned himself at the third spot, having scored 2047 runs in 73 innings at an average of 30.55. Ireland batsman has been one of the most important players for the team for many years. Stirling has given many a starts to the side and takes the onus of setting up big totals.
The Irish cricketer has featured for Ireland in 117 one-day internationals and 78 T20 matches. He has scored 4121 runs in limited over’s format, while in T20s, Stirling has scored 2124 runs at a strike rate of 139.9.
#4. David Warner (Australia)
The only player to have featured for the Australian team without any first-class cricket experience in 132 years, David Warner has come a long way. The Australian dynamite has been a phenomenon in T-20 cricket. Apart from his international numbers in T20 cricket, David Warner also boasts of an impressive record in the Indian Premier League.
Warner has batted as an opening batsman in 72 innings and has scored 2039 runs with an average of 32.37. Overall, he has represented Australia in 79 matches, scoring 2207 runs.
#5. Aaron Finch (Australia)
Warner’s partner in crime, Aaron Finch is right below the former at the fifth spot. Currently, leading the side in the limited-overs format, Finch is an imposing figure in the Australian team. He has played 54 matches as an opening batsman with 1839 runs to his name at an average of 36.78.
Besides, Finch also has a fantastic record in one-day cricket, having amassed 4822 runs in 125 one-day internationals at an average of 40.9.
