Top 10 Best Openers in the World of All Time 2025

Best cricket opener in the world: In the world of cricket, the best opening is a crucial part to grab the match. It is fair to assume that opening the batting is the most challenging task to achieve in the game of cricket. Openers need to face numerous challenges to provide an excellent start to the team. While some people think it is the most straightforward task to perform, as openers can take advantage of field constraints, seeing off the new ball against persistent bowling attacks is challenging for some batsmen on the field. 

Top 10 Best Openers in World including All Formats 2025

Top 10 Best Openers in the World in ODI 2025

Best openers in the World in One Day Internationals: The two opening batters play one of the most critical roles for the batting side in the One Day Internationals matches. Opening players are responsible for providing good scores for their team, either through aggressive stroke-making or by putting in a lot of effort and hitting a big hit while others are batting around them. 

Some batsmen thrive and relish destroying rival bowling attacks early in the innings, while others struggle under that pressure. Some openers elevated the run-scoring throughout ODI cricket’s history and built successful careers by destroying even the best bowlers in the world. Here is the list of the Best Openers in the World in ODI Cricket. 

1. Sachin Tendulkar: Best Opener in ODI Cricket

One of the best opening batsmen in ODI cricket is often referred to as the “Little Master,” Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin Tendulkar is number one on the list of Top 10 Best Cricket Openers in the World in ODI. Over the course of his two-decade-long ODI career, he amassed the most runs in the format. Tendulkar became a cricketing legend due to his mastery of several shots, perfect technique, and reliable performance. He was a mainstay of India’s batting order and held several records, including the most ODI hundreds. Sachin Tendulkar played 463 ODI matches in his career and made 18,426 runs. 

2. Sourav Ganguly: Best Opener in ODI Cricket

As the opening batsman in ODI cricket, Sourav Ganguly, an outstanding left-handed batsman, was influential in changing the fortunes of the Indian cricket team. Sourav Ganguly played 311 matches in his entire career and made 11,363 runs. Sourav Ganguly comes on number two when we discuss the Best Opener in the World of all time. Ganguly’s aggressive style as captain and opening batter renewed India’s ODI performances. At the top of the order, his partnerships with Sachin were essential to India’s achievements when he was in charge.

3. Matthew Hyden: Best Opener in ODI Cricket

Hayden played in 161 matches while scoring 6,133 runs. He was an essential part of Australia’s batting lineup because of his commanding presence and combative attitude. Scored more. Scored more than 6000 runs in just 160 matches, making Mathew Hyden Top Third Best Opener in the World in ODI. 

4. Sanath Jayasuriya: Best Opener in ODI Cricket

In ODI cricket, Sanath Jayasuriya changed the position of the opening batsman. Sanath Jayasuriya scored 12,740 in 383 innings. His fantastic opening for Sri Lanka made him the Best Opener in the World. His reckless hitting and aggressive manner helped change how teams approached the first few overs. He continues to be one of the most important personalities in limited-overs cricket, and his services were crucial to Sri Lanka’s success at the 1996 World Cup.

5. Adam Gilchrist

With his powerful hitting as an Opening Batsman in ODI cricket, Adam Gilchrist changed the job of the wicketkeeper-batsman. He was a crucial component of Australia’s successful ODI side because of his capacity for providing explosive starts and his record-breaking innings. The game was changed dramatically by Gilchrist’s crisp striking and game-changing performances. Adam Gilchrist comes in 5th place on the list of Top 10 Best Openers in the World in ODI. 

6. Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla is the kind of composed, focussed player you need on the pitch. He has been crucial to the success of the modern South African side. Among all teams, Amla has reached 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 ODI runs the quickest.Hashim Amla’s incredible innings for south africa include his name in the Top 10 Best Openers in the World.  On any challenging surface, he has been a constant presence for his team and has personally created numerous winning scores for them, frequently right away. His incredible brilliance as a captain, a batter, and a tactician on the pitch is simply not reflected in the statistics. 

7. Chris Gayle: Best Opener in ODI Cricket

In terms of opening, Chris Gayle’s innings are unforgettable. His outstanding sixes in most matches adds Chirs Gayle to the List of Top 10 Best Openers in the World in ODI. Chris Gayle became one of the most dangerous opening batsmen in ODI cricket thanks to his powerful hitting and unmatched ability to clear boundaries. His record-breaking innings, which featured multiple sixes, demonstrated his brilliance as a power hitter. West Indies frequently got off to great starts thanks to Gayle’s performances, which changed the momentum in their favor.

8. Virendra Sehwag: Best Opener in ODI Cricket

In one-day international cricket, Virender Sehwag’s daring and aggressive batting style helped India win matches. His capacity to take control right away and put bowlers under pressure changed what an opening batsman is supposed to do. Sehwag’s quick centuries and distinctive playing technique were crucial to India’s victories.

9. Saeed Anwar: Best Opener in ODI Cricket

As the opening batsman in ODI cricket, Saeed Anwar, a fashionable left-hander, made an enduring impression on Pakistani cricket. His extended innings and graceful strokeplay were the hallmarks of his career. For a long time, Anwar’s record-breaking 194 against India was the highest individual ODI score.  He consistently scored goals for Pakistan, which often helped the squad get out to a solid start. He has made an enormous impact on the game. 

10. Rohit Sharma: Best Opener in ODI Cricket

Modern Opening Batsman in ODI cricket Rohit Sharma is renowned for his graceful strokeplay and capacity for massive innings. Rohit Sharma is an incredible player in India. His partnership with Shikhar Dhawan was outstanding, and he placed him in the list of Top 10 Best Openers in the World in ODI.  With his triple century, he currently owns the ODI record for the greatest individual score. The success of India in ODIs has been largely attributed to Rohit’s partnership with Shikhar Dhawan at the top of the order. Please be aware that after September 2021, certain match and run statistics for Rohit Sharma may have changed.

Top 10 Best Openers in the World in T20

Best Openers in the World in T20: Given the limited number of overs available to each side in Twenty20 international cricket, the opening batsmen are essential for the batting side.

If the openers depart too soon, their side is already in peril since those who follow them must maintain the ship while simultaneously making swift runs.

However, if they can maintain their position at the crease and continue to bat, it makes life much simpler for those lower in the order and allows them to amass a score that will win the game.

Top 10 Best Openers in the World in Test

Best Opener in the World in Test: At the best of times, opening an innings in a test match can be a difficult task for the batsmen because they have to deal with the opposition’s top bowlers who have a brand-new ball in their hands.

A ring of slip fielders is always present to grab any edges that may come their way, and the pitch also always provides some aid.

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