On This Day — Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan Begin Their Journey as India’s Opening Pair

It was the first time they walked out together to open the innings for India, and they immediately made an impact. With effortless stroke play and perfect understanding, the pair stitched together a century stand in their very first outing. That day marked the beginning of one of India’s most iconic and successful partnerships in limited-overs cricket.

India vs South Africa: 6th June 2013

On June 6, 2013, cricket fans witnessed the dawn of something special as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan walked out to open for India in the ICC Champions Trophy match against South Africa at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens. It was their first time batting together as an opening pair in white-ball cricket, and they didn’t disappoint. With a mix of cool-headed skill and fiery strokeplay, they built a stunning 127-run stand, lighting the way for India’s massive 331 for 7 and kicking off a partnership that would become one of India’s most beloved and effective in limited-overs history.

Facing a tough South African team, Rohit and Shikhar hit the ground running. Rohit played the steady role, carving out 65 off 81 balls with 8 crisp fours and a six, holding the innings together. Shikhar, on the other hand, was a whirlwind, blasting 114 off 94 balls, packed with 12 fours and a six, earning him the Player of the Match award. They reached 100 in just 94 balls, pushing India to 50 in 9.2 overs and 100 in 15.3 overs, striking a perfect balance between attack and caution.

India got off to a flyer in the mandatory Powerplay, from the first ball to the 10th over, stacking up 53 runs without losing a wicket. Rohit found his groove, notching a fifty off 63 balls with 6 fours and a six, while Shikhar flew to his half-century in just 44 balls, smashing 6 fours with flair. Their rhythm broke in the 21.2nd over when Rohit was caught by Robin Peterson off Ryan McLaren, leaving India at 127 for 1. Shikhar kept the fire alive, linking up with Virat Kohli for a 50-run stand in 48 balls. Kohli added a steady 31 off 41 balls, with 2 fours, before Lonwabo Tsotsobe sent him back in the 34.2nd over, with the score at 210 for 2.

Shikhar’s dazzling show ended in the 37.3rd over, caught by substitute fielder Aaron Phangiso off Jean-Paul Duminy for 114. His 80-ball century, alive with 12 fours and a six, came at a strike rate of 121.27, a brilliant display of attacking batting. Dinesh Karthik jumped in with a quick 14 off 15 balls, hitting a four and a six, but McLaren got him in the 39.2nd over, taking India to 240 for 4. Suresh Raina sparked briefly, clubbing 9 off 6 balls with a six, only to be caught by Duminy off McLaren in the 41.4th over, leaving the score at 260 for 5. The batting Powerplay, from overs 35.1 to 40.0, brought 36 runs but cost 2 wickets, setting up a big finish.

Captain MS Dhoni stepped up, cracking 27 off 26 balls with 3 fours, before Faf du Plessis caught him off Tsotsobe in the 46.2nd over, with India at 291 for 6. Ravindra Jadeja took the stage, finishing unbeaten on 47 off 29 balls, hammering 7 fours and a six at a strike rate of 162.06. His late burst pushed India past 300 in the 47.3rd over. Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in with a brisk 10 off 10 balls, including a four, but was run out in the 49.4th over.

India closed at 331 for 7, helped by 14 extras — 4 leg byes, 2 no-balls, and 8 wides. South Africa’s bowlers had a tough day, but Ryan McLaren led the fight, grabbing 3 for 70 in 10 overs. Tsotsobe took 2 for 83, and Duminy kept things tight, snagging 1 for 42 in 10 overs. Morne Morkel, Rory Kleinveldt, and Robin Peterson found no luck, giving away 27, 81, and 24 runs without a wicket.

South Africa’s chase of 332 started shakily. Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck early, getting Colin Ingram caught by Suresh Raina for 6 in the 2.1st over, with the score at 13 for 1. Umesh Yadav joined in, dismissing Hashim Amla for 22 off 15 balls, caught by Dhoni in the 3.5th over, leaving them at 31 for 2. They battled to 77 for 2 in the mandatory Powerplay but needed a big lift. Robin Peterson and captain AB de Villiers answered the call, putting on 100 runs in 93 balls for the third wicket.

Peterson made 68 off 72 balls, with 6 fours, reaching his fifty in 51 balls, while de Villiers scored 70 off 71 balls, with 7 fours, hitting his fifty in 45 balls. They cruised to 100 in 13 overs and 150 in 23.1 overs, keeping the dream alive. Things turned in the 24.3rd over when Peterson was run out by Jadeja and Dhoni, with the score at 155 for 3. Jadeja struck again, trapping Jean-Paul Duminy lbw for 14 off 24 balls in the 30.4th over—upheld after a review—leaving South Africa at 182 for 4.

Yadav got de Villiers for 70, caught by Jadeja in the 31.4th over, and David Miller was run out for a duck in the 32.5th over, dropping them to 188 for 6. Faf du Plessis dug in with 30 off 23 balls, including 5 fours, and paired with Ryan McLaren for a 50-run stand in 27 balls. Ishant Sharma broke through, getting du Plessis caught by Raina in the 37.3rd over, with the score at 238 for 7.

The batting Powerplay, from overs 35.1 to 40.0, yielded 39 runs but claimed 2 wickets, diminishing their hopes. Ishant dismissed Rory Kleinveldt for 4, caught by Dhoni in the 39.5th over, and Jadeja bowled Lonwabo Tsotsobe for 3 in the 42.5th over, leaving them at 257 for 9. Ryan McLaren refused to give up, finishing unbeaten on 71 off 61 balls, with 11 fours and a six, reaching his fifty in 40 balls.

They crossed 250 in 39.4 overs and 300 in 49.1 overs, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar finished it, bowling Morne Morkel for 8 in the last over. South Africa ended at 305, 26 runs short, with 9 extras — 1 leg bye, 1 no-ball, and 7 wides. India’s bowlers split the work: Jadeja sparkled with 2 for 31 in 9 overs, Kumar and Yadav each took 2 for 49 and 75, and Ishant nabbed 2 for 66. Ravichandran Ashwin and Suresh Raina went wicketless, giving up 47 and 36 runs.

India owned the day. Rohit and Shikhar’s 127-run opening stand, fueled by Dhawan’s 80-ball 100, drove them to 200 in 33.1 overs and 250 in 40.1 overs. Jadeja’s late blast set a huge target. South Africa showed grit, hitting 114 for 2 by the 15th-over break, but run-outs and Jadeja’s spin sparked a slide, losing 4 wickets for 25 runs in the final Powerplay. McLaren fought hard, but India sealed a thrilling 26-run win, launching their Champions Trophy journey and cementing Rohit and Shikhar as a dream opening pair.

Most Runs by an Opening Pair in ODIs

In the world of ODIs, opening pairs can make or break a team’s innings, and some partnerships have left a lasting mark. One of the standout duos is India’s Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, who batted together from 1996 to 2007. Over 136 innings, with just 2 not outs, they piled up 6,609 runs, including a massive 258-run stand. Their average of 49.32, with 21 centuries and 23 fifties, made them a nightmare for bowlers.

Australia’s Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden were another dynamite pair, teaming up from 2001 to 2008. In 114 innings, with 3 not outs, they racked up 5,372 runs, with a best of 172. Averaging 48.39, they smashed 16 hundreds and 29 fifties, bringing aggression and consistency to the top for the Aussies. The West Indies’ Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes ruled the crease from 1979 to 1991. Across 102 innings, with 4 not outs, they scored 5,150 runs, peaking at an unbeaten 192. Their impressive 52.55 average, backed by 15 centuries and 24 fifties, set a gold standard for openers in their era.

India’s Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, from 2013 to 2022, brought flair and firepower. In 115 innings, with 2 not outs, they amassed 5,148 runs, including a huge 210-run partnership. Averaging 45.55, they notched 18 hundreds and 15 fifties, lighting up ODI cricket with their chemistry. South Africa’s Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock, from 2013 to 2019, were a classy combo. Over 93 innings, with 3 not outs, they scored 4,198 runs, with a stunning unbeaten 282 as their best. Their 46.64 average, with 11 centuries and 14 fifties, made them a vital pair.