Top 5 highest opening partnerships in odi world cup history

Chetan Sharma

The opening partnership is a crucial element in One Day International (ODI) cricket, as it sets the tone for the rest of the innings. Over the years, there have been some exceptional opening partnerships in the ODI World Cup history, with some teams achieving remarkable scores. Here are the top 5 highest opening partnerships in ODI World Cup history:

  1. Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) 282 runs:

This record-breaking partnership took place during the 2011 World Cup match against Zimbabwe in Pallekele, Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan pair of Tharanga and Dilshan went on to create history by amassing 282 runs, the highest ever opening partnership in ODI World cup.

  1. Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) 231 runs:

Tharanga and Dilshan are the only opening pair to feature twice in the top five highest opening partnerships in ODI World Cup history. This second impressive partnership of 231 runs was recorded in the 2011 World Cup match against England in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

  1. Saeed Anwar and Wajahatullah Wasti (Pakistan) 194 runs:

During the 1999 World Cup Semi-Final match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Manchester, England, this partnership was formed. Anwar and Wasti’s impressive performance ensured that Pakistan won the match convincingly by nine wickets.

  1. KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma (India) 189 runs:

Rahul and Sharma created history during the 2019 World Cup match against Sri Lanka in Leeds, England, by becoming the fourth-highest opening partnership in ODI World Cup history. Their outstanding performance helped India secure a comfortable win against Sri Lanka.

  1. G Kirsten and AC Hudson (South Africa) 186 runs:

During the 1996 World Cup match against the Netherlands in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Kirsten and Hudson’s partnership set a then-record of 186 runs. Their impressive batting performance helped South Africa post a massive total of 330/6, which they defended successfully to win the match.

These partnerships demonstrate the importance of a strong opening pair in ODI cricket. These teams not only created history but also showcased the significance of teamwork and collaboration. Their performances will be remembered as some of the most remarkable moments in ODI World Cup history.