Top 5 opening batters in IPL history। Top 5 most successful opening batters

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen some incredible opening batters taking centerstage and enthralling fans with their consistent performances. Opening is a very crucial aspect in an format of the game. If the opening batters can set a solid platform at the top, it makes the job of the middle-order batters and the pinch-hitters much easier.

Over the years, the cash-rich league has witnessed many formidable opening pairs, who have scored the bulk of the runs for their team. In IPL 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) played the finals, with the former emerging victorious. One thing that was common in both teams was their opening batters' dominance.

As the 18th edition of the IPL is gradually heading towards the halfway stage, CricTracker digs up the numbers and takes a look at the top five opening batters in the league's history.

Top 5 opening batters in IPL history:

5. Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan started his IPL career at Delhi Capitals in 2008. He went on to play for Mumbai Indians and Deccan Chargers in the following years. However, his best years came when he was a part of Sunrisers Hyderabad from 2013 to 2018. He opened the batting alongside David Warner and the two left-handed batters were a treat to watch for cricket aficionados.

After being released by the Orange Army ahead of IPL 2019, Dhawan returned to Delhi Capitals and spent three seasons at the franchise. He eventually retired after leading the Punjab Kings in IPL 2024. The Delhi batter finished with 6,362 runs, most by an opener in the league. He averaged 35.54 and had a strike rate of 128.11 after playing 202 innings as an opener. Dhawan holds the record for hitting the most number of fours (768) in the league. He has 47 fifties and two tons in his IPL career.