They say in cricket that the unique partnerships don’t just happen; they take a reasonable amount of time, quite a lot of patience and the trust between the two batsmen who genuinely wish to contribute to their team’s total in order to put their side in a strong position.
When it comes to One-Day International (ODI) cricket, there are only very few batting pairs who have achieved several records in ODI partnerships. To pick a few standout names, pairs like Sachin Tendulkar-Sourav Ganguly, Kumar Sangakkara-Mahela Jayewardene, Matthew Hayden-Adam Gilchrist, have stockpiled mountain of runs.
However, when it comes to the best run-rate of any partnership in the 50-over format, the list is bit different.
Modern-day cricketers mostly dominate this list. So, let’s have a look at five such partnerships with best run-rates (2000+ balls):
5.) Virat Kohli-Suresh Raina (6.33)
Whole cricketing fraternity regards Virat Kohli, and Suresh Raina really high in the limited-over format. Both are huge names and widely acknowledged for their excellent display of batting.
With 11,867 runs, Kohli is the leading run-scorer among active players while Raina with 5615 runs is at the eleventh spot amongst Indians. When it comes to their pairing, then they have put together 2238 runs in 43 innings with an average of 58.89. They have amassed runs at a remarkable run-rate of 6.33.
4.) Martin Guptill-Brendon McCullum (6.35)
Arguably one of the finest batters of New Zealand cricket, Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum have done wonders for the Kiwi team on so many occasions. Both are attacking batsmen, and they have been spectacular with the consistency and capability to demolish any bowling attack in the world.
In 64 innings, the amazing pair has gathered 2737 runs in ODI format with a noteworthy average of 45.61. When it comes to run-rate, then both batters have scored runs at 6.35 which is the fourth-best figure in ODIs under 2000+ balls category.
3.) Virender Sehwag-Gautam Gambhir (6.40)
Former Indian opening pair of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir wrote new definitions in the captivating game, especially for Indian cricket. In fact, one wouldn’t be wrong to say that after Tendulkar-Ganguly, Sehwag-Tendulkar, one pair which has given India blistering starts is the pair of Sehwag-Gambhir.
The left hand-right hand combination has done miracles and more often than not gave the Indian team a flying start. In 49 innings, the Delhi pair has put together 2242 runs with an outstanding run-rate of 6.40. They have scored five hundred, and nine half-century stands with an extraordinary average of 46.70.
2.) Hashim Amla-AB de Villiers (6.53)
Former Proteas skipper AB de Villiers and a stalwart in South Africa cricket Hasim Amla have been prodigious whenever the duo has played together. The splendid thing about this pair is that Amla has played the role of run-rotator in order to keep on moving the scoreboard while De Villiers has searched for boundaries to put extra pressure on bowlers.
In 45 innings, the South African pair has amassed 3111 runs at an astonishing run-rate of 6.53. They have also smashed twelve 100-run partnerships and eight 50-run stand in the ODI format at a fantabulous average of 72.34.
1.) Jason Roy-Jonny Bairstow (7.03)
Ever since Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow have started opening the innings for England, it has done marvels for English cricket over the years. They have dominated and punished the best bowling attack in the world in modern-day cricket.
The pair of Roy and Bairstow played a massive role in England’s 2019 World Cup triumph. In the mega event held in their backyard, the outstanding pair has put together 548 runs, in 6 innings with four-century stands.
Overall, the figures that Roy and Bairstow have achieved are mindboggling. In 109 innings, the English pair has accumulated 2450 runs in ODI format with a significant average of 62.82. They have piled up runs at a thrilling run-rate of 7.03 – the only pair to score runs at 7-plus rate.
