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ODI cricket has undergone a significant transformation, and nowhere is this more evident than in the role of opening batters. In the early years, openers were expected to play cautiously, see off the new ball, and lay a foundation for the middle order.
The evolution of ODI opening batting: From caution to aggression
Players like Sunil Gavaskar and Geoff Boycott epitomized this approach, often focusing on preserving wickets rather than accelerating the scoring rate. However, as limited-overs cricket gained popularity, teams began to realize the importance of capitalizing on fielding restrictions in the first 15 overs.
The turning point came in the mid-1990s when Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana shattered conventional wisdom by attacking bowlers from ball one, a strategy that played a key role in their 1996 World Cup triumph. Their aggressive mindset forced teams to rethink their approach, paving the way for a new breed of openers who prioritized quick starts over mere survival.
By the early 2000s, Adam Gilchrist had taken this philosophy to another level, providing Australia with blazing starts in major tournaments, including the 2003 and 2007 World Cups. Virender Sehwag followed suit for India, showing that a fearless approach could yield consistent success. Brendon McCullum further pushed the boundaries in the 2015 World Cup, dismantling bowling attacks within the first 10 overs, making early aggression a defining characteristic of modern ODI batting.
Modern-day openers: The art of controlled aggression
While the initial wave of aggressive openers focused solely on all-out attack, the modern era has witnessed a blend of power-hitting and calculated shot selection. Players like Rohit Sharma, David Warner and Jonny Bairstow have mastered the art of building innings while maintaining high strike rates. Unlike the early attacking openers who relied purely on explosive starts, these batters have combined aggression with consistency, making them dominant forces in ODI cricket. Rohit, in particular, has redefined the role of an opener with his ability to convert starts into mammoth scores, evident in his record-breaking three double centuries in ODIs.
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Sunil Gavaskar reveals his choice for the most destructive ODI opening batter
Former Indian cricketer Gavaskar has hailed Rohit as the most destructive opener in world cricket following his match-winning century against England in the second ODI in Cuttack. Facing immense pressure due to a lean patch, Rohit responded in style, smashing a breathtaking 119 off just 90 balls to lead India to a comfortable victory while chasing a stiff target of 305. His outstanding performance not only sealed the series for India but also served as a strong statement ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, set to begin on February 19.
In his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar pointed out that Rohit’s ability to convert starts into big scores makes him one of the most feared batters in ODIs.
“Rohit is perhaps the most destructive opening batter in the one-day game, and his striking form is a vital ingredient if India is hoping to regain the Trophy that they won way back in 2013. Not many batters have hit multiple double-hundreds in this format, and Rohit is one of those rare batters who has done so,” Gavaskar wrote.
