Top five Indian openers with most runs in international cricket

Openers play a crucial role in the batting lineup in any format. Starting the innings, their responsibilities extend beyond merely accumulating runs; they must also safeguard the remaining batters from the heightened wicket-taking potential posed by the new ball, which is more threatening than the softer, older ball.

India has produced several legendary openers over the years, who have contributed to the nation's dominance across various formats of the game.

In this article, let’s take a look at top five Indian openers with most runs in international cricket.

5. Shikhar Dhawan – 10,876 runs

Shikhar Dhawan was one of India’s most underrated all-format openers. He came to the limelight with a stunning 187-run knock on his test debut against Australia in Mohali in 2013.

One of Dhawan's notable strengths was his exceptional performance in ICC tournaments. He emerged as India's leading run-scorer during the 2013 Champions Trophy, accumulating a total of 363 runs in five matches, which included two centuries.

Dhawan retired in 2024 after scoring 10,876 runs for India as an opener in all three formats at an average of 39.66, which included 24 centuries.

4. Sunil Gavaskar – 12,258 runs

Regarded as one of the greatest Test openers in India’s cricket history, Sunil Gavaskar scored 12,258 runs while opening the batting, achieving an impressive average of 46.08. Among these runs, he accumulated 2,651 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs).

Gavaskar’s impact goes beyond numbers as he inspired a generation to take up cricket. He was the first batter to achieve the milestone of 10,000 runs in Test cricket. Throughout his international career, he registered 34 centuries and 67 half-centuries while playing as an opener.

3. Sachin Tendulkar – 15,335 runs

Sachin Tendulkar's name is inextricably linked to several batting records. He scored 15,335 runs as an opener in international cricket, with the vast majority of these runs (15,310) coming from One Day Internationals (ODIs). His batting average stands at 48.07, which includes an impressive tally of 45 centuries.

Tendulkar’s career records speak for his legendary achievements and he remains the only batter to score 100 international centuries. He retired from international cricket in 2013.

2. Rohit Sharma – 15,404 runs

Rohit Sharma is one of India’s most elegant batsmen and an all-time great all-format opener. His career took a turn when MS Dhoni promoted him to open in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. Similar to ODIs, Rohit started opening in tests late in his career, taking up the role for the first time in 2019.

He has so far scored 15,404 runs as an opener in international cricket, maintaining an average of 45.43 including 44 centuries. He is also the only batter to have achieved the remarkable feat of scoring three double centuries in ODIs.

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 formats.

Beginning his career as a middle-order batter, he was promoted to the opening position by captain Sourav Ganguly to deliver explosive starts. He slammed 36 centuries and 65 half-centuries, with his highest score of 319 coming against South Africa in Chennai in test cricket.

Cover Credits - India Today