The Indian cricket team is taking part in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean, aiming to reach the semifinal stage of the tournament with a win over Australia in their next Super 8 Group 1 match. For that to happen, they will be needing their opening pair of the captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to stitch together a big stand for the first wicket.
In this article, SportsTiger looks at four highest opening partnerships for India in the history of the T20 World Cups.
4. Gautam Gambhir-Rohit Sharma (77 vs IRE, 2009)
During a forgettable T20 World Cup campaign for India in 2009, the opening pair of Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma put Ireland to the sword at the top of the order at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham. In pursuit of the 113-run target, they put together an opening stand of 77 runs, helping India get over the line with eight wickets in hand and 27 balls to spare.
3. KL Rahul-Rohit Sharma (86 vs NAM, 2021)
In a yet another forgettable T20 World Cup campaign for India, this time in 2021, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma smashed the Namibian bowling attack while chasing down the 133-run target at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. These two right-handed opening batters put together 86-run stand, to ensure India won by nine wickets with 28 balls remaining in their innings.
2. Gautam Gambhir-Virender Sehwag (136 vs ENG, 2007)
The inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007, which the Indian cricket team won in South Africa, is filled with memorable performances across the board. During their clash against England at the Kingsmead in Durban, the opening pair of Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag put together a massive stand of 136 runs, setting up a vital 18-run win in the tournament.
1. KL Rahul-Rohit Sharma (140 vs AFG, 2021)
After losing their first two matches of the T20 World Cup 2021, India were staring down the barrel in regard to a group stage elimination from the tournament, but the opening duo of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma were not willing to give up without a fight. At the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, they put up the highest opening stand in the tournament history for India, scoring 140 runs for the first wicket, to help the team trounce Afghanistan by 66 runs.