T20 World Cup 2024: Rating opening batting pairs from each team

Within a week, the biggest ICC tournament of 2024 is set to take place as top international teams head to the West Indies and USA. Each of the 20 teams will eye to do well and ultimately win the T20 World Cup 2024. 

Most of the big teams will come into the tournament with their big players looking to do well. One of the key aspects of T20 Cricket is the role of the opening batters who can set the tone of the game for the next few batters to come. 

With the likes of Rohit Sharma, David Warner, Jos Buttler, and Quinton De Kock playing in the tournament, the focus will be on these master blasters to set the stage on fire. With the quality bowlers who are set to take the field, the role of the openers becomes important for any team.

Here are the top ten opening batters rated for the T20 World Cup 2024

10. Pakistan – Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan -2/10

With Babar Azam deciding to bat at number three, the onus will be on Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan to lead the batting charge for Pakistan at the top of the order. Saim Ayub hasn’t been in the greatest of form while Mohammad Rizwan has been struggling to score runs in recent times.

9. Bangladesh – Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das – 2/10

Ever since Tamim Iqbal has been out of the Bangladesh squad, they have struggled to find a good opening pair. The latest duo of Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das has been struggling in recent times as both batters have had an inconsistent run with the bat. This has had an adverse on the Tigers as they have lost the ongoing series to the USA in a massive setback before the big tournament.

8. Afghanistan – Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran – 3/10

The Afghanistan side is one of the most exciting teams that is set to take part in the T20 World Cup. Most of their players have natural talent and are very destructive with the bat and ball. Rahmanullah Gurbaz's recent form in the IPL has shown that he is the key player for the side during the upcoming tournament. Ibrahim Zadran too has the class and quality to put the best attacks to shame as he scores runs at a quick pace for his team. 

7. West Indies – Brandon King and Johnson Charles -3/10

The hosts are currently playing a short series against South Africa to get themselves ready for the big tournament ahead. Brandon King has shown his form by scoring 79 in the first game of the series and can score runs at a good pace. Johnson Charles may have failed in the first game against the Proteas but the right-handed batter is a natural striker of the ball and can change the course of the game with his big hits.

6. India – Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal – 4/10

One of the biggest worries for Indian fans is the form of their skipper Rohit Sharma. The 37-year-old had a poor second half of the IPL 2024 season where he was seen getting dismissed to left-arm seamers. If Rohit Sharma can find his form, he will be a huge threat for many bowlers. Yashasvi Jaiswal on the other hand has been in tremendous run-scoring form and even scored a blistering century during IPL to showcase his skills and talents.

5. Sri Lanka – Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka -5/10

The 2014 World Cup winners, Sri Lanka will be banking on the talents of Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka to fight the opposition bowling attacks. Kusal Mendis can change gears as per the needs of the game while Pathum Nissanka is a natural stroke maker who has the ability to clear the in-field. The two batting stars will be the key for Sri Lanka as they look to make it to the next round from a very difficult and tricky group.

4. South Africa- Quinton De Kock and Reeza Hendricks -5/10

The Proteas come into yet another ICC tournament with the aim of breaking the long-awaited jinx and winning a major trophy. Quinton De Kock and his form may not be right at the top but the left-handed batter has a penchant to score key runs with the bat in important matches. Reeza Hendricks has been one of the most underrated batters in the T20 format and his 87 in the game against West Indies shows why he cannot be taken lightly.

3. New Zealand – Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra -6/10

The left-handed batting pair of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra was one of the most successful opening pairs of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Devon Conway is one of the most consistent batters for New Zealand and after a long time away due to injury, he will want to get back to his best run-scoring form. Rachin Ravindra may not have set the house on fire during IPL 2024 but there is no doubting the class he has with his swashbuckling displays when he is playing for his national side.

2. England – Jos Buttler and Phil Salt – 7/10

Last time when England had won the T20 World Cup, it was Jos Buttler and Alex Hales who had opened the batting. This year it will be the imposing and explosive Phil Salt, who had taken IPL 2024 by storm for KKR with the bat, to partner his skipper. The two batters are naturally aggressive and when in full flow, the two can tear any bowling unit apart. England will be hoping the two stars can fire with the bat if they have to successfully defend their title.

1. Australia – David Warner and Travis Head – 8/10

David Warner may have fallen off the pedestal as far as his form with the bat is concerned during IPL 2024, but when in form, he is still the most dangerous batter. Travis Head is coming into the T20 World Cup on the back of his blitzkrieg with the bat in the IPL 2024 season. The two stars played a huge role in Australia winning the ICC ODI World Cup and David Warner will want to finish his Australian journey with yet another title in his kitty.