10 Best Opening Combinations in the IPL History

10 Best Opening Combinations in the IPL History: In a T20 league like the IPL it is vital to find the right opening batsmen for your team as they are the ones who hold the key to lay down a good platform for the middle and lower order to capitalize on. Here is our list of 10 Best Opening Combinations in the IPL History. 1. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir: Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag DD. (Photo Source: Google) This deadly opening duo represented the Delhi Daredevils in the first three editions of the IPL. Sehwag has an IPL career strike rate of 155, whereas Gambhir holds the record for the most number of half centuries in the IPL. The aggressive flashy batting of Sehwag and the watchful batting of Gambhir is a nightmare for bowlers. 2. Mathew Hayden and Murali Vijay: Mathew Hayden and Murali Vijay CSK. (Photo Source: Google) Representing the Chennai Super Kings this opening duo is yet another threatening partnership that can take apart any bowling attack. The man with the Mongoose bat, Hayden is a powerful striker of the ball and was instrumental for the success of CSK in the initial years of the IPL. Murali Vijay with his stylish and classy batting style can demoralize the opposition bowlers at will. His 127 off 56 balls is still etched in the hearts of die hard CSKians. 3. Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli: Virat kohli and Chris Gayle RCB. (Photo Source: BCCI) Two of the best limited over’s batsmen in the world, you are sure to have a hard time when you know you have to bowl at these two incredible stroke-makers. Gayle is the hardest hitter of the cricket ball and can hit you out of the park at ease, and Virat with his counter-punching ability can take the bowlers apart too. These factors make this such a dangerous opening combination. 4. David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan: David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan SRH. (Photo Source: BCCI) This savage opening pair can cause irreparable damage to your side if you don’t get them out early. David Warner is a very aggressive batsman who can cart you for fours and sixes if you give him even the slightest of width. And there is Dhawan, after taking some time and settling down he can prove to be unstoppable once when he gets going. 5. Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith: Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith CSK. (Photo Source: BCCI) This ominous batting pair of CSK is a nightmare for any bowler. It is almost impossible to contain these two incredible stroke-makers. Brendon McCullum as we all know is one who possesses unbelievable bat speed and can decimate any bowling attack. And there is Dwayne Smith from the West Indies. He is one of the hardest hitters of the cricket ball and if you miss your line by an inch you are sure to get punished, when these two are at the crease. 6. Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa: Gautam Gambhir And Robin Uthappa KKR. (Photo Source: BCCI) This KKR batting duo might not seem as destructive as the others but can slowly but surely dismantle the opposition if you allow them to occupy the crease for a long time. The two inaugural T20 world cup winners are very difficult to bowl and will pounce on any error by the bowler. 7. Chris Gayle and Tillakaratne Dilshan: Chris Gayle and Tillakaratne Dilshan RCB. (Photo Source: BCCI) The marauder from Jamaica and the inventor of the dil-scoop are easily one of the most damaging opening combinations. They can take the game away from the opposition in the blink of an eye. These two gave RCB some of the most firing starts in the matches they played together. Quick Link – Top 10 Highest Individual Scores In IPL 8. Adam Gilchrist and Herschelle Gibbs: Adam Gilchrist and Herschelle Gibbs DC. (Photo Source: NDTV Sports) Adam Gilchrist needs no introduction. He is one of the best wicket-keeper batsmen of all time. He is also one of the most attacking batsmen and can hit you for fours and sixes even when you are bowling tidy line and length. Herschelle Gibbs the man who made SA’s chase of 434 against the Aussies possible is yet another fearless stroke-maker. This duo represented the Deccan Chargers and were instrumental in the side winning the championship. 9. Shane Watson and Graeme Smith: Shane Watson and Graeme Smith RR. (Photo Source: PTI) Shane Watson, the hard-hitting Aussie and Graeme Smith the longest serving SA captain are another threatening blend of openers from the Rajasthan Royals that can be very difficult to bowl to. Both can be very dangerous if they are not dismissed early. 10. Aaron Finch and Robin Uthappa: Aaron Finch and Robin Uthappa PWI. (Photo Source: BCCI) This dreaded opening combination represented PWI in the IPL. Aaron Finch who we all know is one of the better strikers of the cricket ball, and he partnered with a stable yet explosive Robin Uthappa as we already mentioned is a watchful stroke maker who can prove to be dangerous if allowed to bat for longer duration’s. The two did well in the limited opportunities the team handed them. Quick Link – Top 10 Highest Partnerships In IPL