Highest Opening Partnership for India in T20 World Cup

The Indian team became the first team to win the inaugural season of the T20 World Cup when they won the 2007 T20 championship title. It was the defining moment in the history of Indian cricket. Because after that, India also won the ODI World Cup in 2011 and the Championship Trophy in 2013.

The Men in Blue are always blessed with some of the best top-order batsmen in the history of cricket. Speaking of the T20 World Cup, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were the first opening pair that took charge in their first match against Pakistan. After them, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane are among the players who have opened for India.

So in this article, we will discuss the top opening partnerships for India in World T20 Cup.

3. Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma (77) against Ireland in the 2009 World Cup

This was the 12th match of the 2009 World Cup between India and Ireland at Nottingham. After winning the toss, MS Dhoni chose to bowl first. It was very tough for the Irish batting line-up to play against India’s bowling. And that’s what happened in the end, Ireland could only manage 112/8 in their 20 overs.

Zaheer Khan took 4/19 and Pragyan Ohja took two wickets. Chasing the target, India had a great start and they recorded their third highest opening partnership. Both Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir added 77 runs in 10.5 to help their team get close to the target. The Men in Blue chased down the target in 15.3 overs and won the match by eight wickets. Rohit was unbeaten on 52* and Gambhir made 37 runs. 

2. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir (136) against England in 2007 World Cup

This is still one of the best matches in T20 World Cup history. This match is remembered for Yuvraj Singh, when he smashed Stuart Broad for six sixes in one over. But the fact is that both Indian openers gave India a solid start. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir added 136 runs for the first wicket in 14.4 overs to lay the foundation.

Then Yuvraj came and just took the match away. Sehwag scored 68 off 52 in that partnership, and Gambhir made 58 off 41 balls. The Men in Blue scored 218/4 in 20 overs. England also batted well but it was a big target to chase and they lost the match by 18 runs.

1. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul (140 runs) against Afghanistan in the 2021 T20 Tournament

India didn’t have a great campaign in the last T20I World Cup in the UAE in 2021. After winning the toss, Afghanistan chose to bowl first. But the Indian openers came in full mood to destroy the opposition. Both Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul came out firing and smashed Afghan bowlers all over the place.

They added 140 runs for the first wicket in just 14.4 overs. Rahul made 69 off 48 and Rohit scored 74 off 47 balls. India scored 210/2 in their 20 overs. Chasing the target, Afghanistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Thus, they could only manage 144/7, handing India a victory of 66 runs. This was India’s highest partnership in the history of the World Cup.

List of Highest 1st Wicket Partnership in T20 World Cup for India