In T20 cricket, the openers are the most important batsmen. If they can get the squad off to a fast start in the powerplay overs, they will have accomplished almost half of their task.
If they perish cheaply, the batting side is instantly put under more pressure. When the bowlers are in control, middle-order batsmen must occasionally perform a delicate balancing act. They need to keep the runs coming in. At the same time, they can’t afford to lose wickets to rash strokes, which could result in a batting collapse. As a result, the openers are the foundations of a batting lineup.
David Warner
With his destructive hitting talents, David Warner has annihilated the best bowling attacks. On fast wickets, the left-hander has demonstrated his attacking style of play and his ability to read the length early. In every IPL competition, he bats quickly right from the start. With his powerful square cuts, the 35-year-old can hit the ball hard and cut the ball in the gaps. Warner’s 2016 performance was on another level, with 848 runs, second only to Virat Kohli’s 973.
Chris Gayle
In the history of the IPL, there has rarely been a more damaging opener. The Universe Boss has delivered some of the most tremendous knocks in tournament history, living up to his name. He struck an unbeaten 175 from only 66 balls for RCB against Pune Warriors in April 2013. The fastest hundred and best individual score in the IPL remain unbeaten to this day. Gayle has six IPL hundreds to his credit (the most by a player), the most recent of which came in 2018 against SRH for Punjab Kings – 104 not out from 63 balls. He may no longer open the innings, but he has cemented his reputation as a superb IPL opener.
Shane Watson
Watson, who played for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, began his career as a middle-order batsman before joining Chennai Super Kings as an opening batsman. Watson is noted for his brutal batting style. Watson had a number of memorable innings in the IPL, but his best came in the final in 2018, when he hit an unbeaten 117 off 57 balls to help CSK win their third title. In 2019, he starred in the final once more, scoring a courageous 80 from 59 balls, but CSK was defeated by Mumbai Indians by 1 run in a thrilling conclusion.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is one of the few Indian openers who appears to be at ease in all three formats. The 34-year-old has demonstrated his ability to methodically build an inning. With his smooth timing and beautiful cover drives, Rohit Sharma has made batting appear easy. With his exquisite wrist work and superb back foot drives, the former Deccan Chargers and current Mumbai Indians star plays elegant shots. On any surface, Sharma can cut the ball crisply and has excellent footwork. Sharma can hit the big shots, but it’s his timing that everyone admires.
Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan has fit in well with any IPL team. With his explosive stroke play, damaging square cuts, and pull shots, the 36-year-old has broken the finest bowling attacks. Dhawan is one of the most feared left-handers in the IPL right now because he doesn’t hesitate to charge the spinners. When playing sweep shots against spinners, the left-hander has shown his supremacy.
