CT IPL Fan's choice: 5 best openers from the tournament

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is into its 10^th season and over the years we have been spectators to some fine performances. Brendon McCullum’s heroic unbeaten 158 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the very first game of the IPL, the sight of Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya and Ricky Ponting walking out wearing a dash of gold and blue, lording of the ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle over lethal attacks are some of the references to the overwhelming history of the premier league.

Today, we let the fans take the centre stage and vote for their all-time best opening pair.

Chris Gayle – Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders

More like the lull before the storm, Chris Gayle likes to make his way out in the middle, in his typical laid-back manner. But once he gets going, no roof is too tall for the big man. In 94 IPL matches, the left-hander has fetched 3464 runs at an average of 42.76. He has 5 hundred to his name, including the massive 175 off 66 balls against a hapless Pune outfit way back in 2013.

Gayle didn’t start off too well, scoring just over 170 runs during his first stint with KKR in the year 2009, but the homecoming came three years later with him scoring 733  and 708 runs in two successive seasons – 2012,2013 for RCB. He is one of the most dangerous openers, who threatens to take away the game from the opposition in no time. Having hit over 250 sixes, he can be your perfect choice to start the proceedings at the top.

David Warner- Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Daredevils

His blade is as thick as his scoring sheet, David Andrew Warner on his day can take his side home single-handedly – literally! He is the current skipper of the defending champion side- Sunrisers Hyderabad and has already started with a fifty to his name.  In 102 IPL games, Warner has amassed 3442 runs at a strike rate of 142.58.

He has 33 fifties and couple of hundreds to his name. 2016 was the best season for this man from New South Wales, as he scored 848 runs, leading his time to the maiden title. If you are a fan of a character who leads from the front, then you don’t need to look too far to vote for your favourite opener.

Brendon McCullum- Gujarat Lions, Kolkata Knight Riders, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Chennai Super Kings

One of the most impactful freelancer in the T20 circuit, Brendon McCullum knows a thing or two about getting his team to a flying start. He kick-started the IPL with a bang in 2008 and went on to add 2451 runs from 94 matches so far. He has stroked 249 fours and 100 plus sixes so far and played for some of the biggest teams in the premier league.

He found his touch playing for CSK, as he added more than 800 runs to his kitty in two seasons. Having retired from the game last year, ‘Baz’ hasn’t stopped from being the brutal best. He holds the distinction of towering 200 sixes in ODI and is certainly the right choice to open for your fantasy XI.

Virender Sehwag- King XI Punjab, Delhi Daredevils

The Nawab is an all time favourite among cricket fans. Currently ruling the social media, the former Punjab opener had set the ball rolling ‘nth’ number of times. Viru has scored over 2700 runs from 104 IPL games at a solid strike rate of 155.44. He fancied his almost every shot that wasn’t mentioned in the book and yet came out winning. He started off with the Daredevils scoring 406 runs in the inaugural season and swiftly moved to become the king of Punjab in the same fashion.

He was consistent throughout, with the best coming in the 2012 season, where he scored 495 runs from 16 games. He came close to lifting the trophy but ended up just noses behind the finishing line. An ideal for all conditions, Virender Sehwag might just be the opener you desire.

Gautam Gambhir- Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils

He lets the bat do the talking and boy! Didn’t he justify the moolah showered at him? He has started the 2017 season in similar fashion, scoring an unbeaten 76 and it looks like he won’t stop before leading his men to their third title. Gambhir has played a total of 133 IPL games so far, scoring 3710 runs at an impressive average of 31.44. He has 32 fifties to his name and is the most successful Indian opener in the IPL history.

He scored 534 runs for Delhi in their maiden campaign in 2008 and went on to represent the unit for two more seasons before turning into a Knight on 2011. He has been the most consistent player for KKR since then, scoring 378, 590, 406, 335, 327 and 501 runs in the following years. A perfect blend of aggression coupled with the right temperament, Gambhir can be your ‘go-to’ man at the very start of the innings.