Top 10 Best Openers in the World - Ranked

Opening the batting is undoubtedly one of the most difficult roles in cricket. Over the years, cricket has had some of the best openers across formats who have left a brilliant impression on the game. Fast forward to 2025, and the list of the world's finest openers has changed, featuring a mix of experienced batters and young talents who dominate every genre with their unique styles. Today's openers are fearless, innovative, and capable of shifting gears effortlessly.

Previously, the opening batters used to be more reserved and focused on saving their wickets instead of scoring runs quickly. Openers like Sunil Gavaskar, Gordon Greenidge had tremendous success batting this way. However, the methods have changed now. The batters are always in an aggressive mood and do not shy away from showing their intent.

In modern cricket, an opener's responsibility is more than just getting through the first few overs; it's about capitalising on fielding limits, playing aggressive strokes, and setting up huge totals. They serve as the team's foundation, providing both stability and aggression. The different players reflect virtually every cricket nation, testifying to the universal expansion of brilliant openers to overwhelm any bowling line-up anywhere in the globe.

From the likes of Gordon Greenidge to Yashasvi Jaiswal, they have left a lasting impression as one of the best openers in world cricket. We will find out who is the best opener in world cricket.

Ranking Factors

The best openers in world cricket are not only ranked by their run scores but also by their contribution to the game, handling the pressure, and consistency throughout their careers.

• Strike Rate: The strike rate of an opener is important in today's cricket. It measures how well a batter scores runs in a given number of balls. With the growth of T20 cricket, openers are expected to maintain high strike rates to get their teams off to a flying start. A high strike rate not only puts pressure on the opposition but also helps the batting side to set or chase huge targets.
• Hitting Ability: An opener's ability to consistently find the boundaries is required during the power play. Hitting ability refers to a batsman's ability to clear the ropes and hit fours and sixes even against high-quality bowlers. This quality is especially important in the T20s and ODI formats, where quick runs are required. An opener's ability to easily dispatch the ball to the fence gives them a huge edge, putting them a threat to any bowling attack.
• Average: The batting average of an opener highlights their consistency and ability to score huge runs. In longer forms such as Test cricket, an excellent average frequently leads to massive hundreds and game-changing innings. This makes the average one of the most dependable predictors of an opener's quality and endurance in international cricket.

List Of 10 Best Openers In The World

10. Temba Bavuma (South Africa)

Temba Bavuma has somewhat steadily climbed through the ranks to become one of the best openers in the world. Bavuma makes his way into the op-order solidity, staying at the crease for hours with utmost consistency and maturity. Playing under pressure to play long innings is his brilliant technique, and that has made him an important part of the South African batting order, especially at the top in the 50-over format.

The ODI captain plays with a lot of patience, combined with traditional stroke play and aggression in between. In cricketing terms, he plays long innings, enduring pressure, and helps lay a foundation for the middle order. Bavuma's resilience is well displayed in his batting; as South Africa's captain, he leads by example in tough conditions. His ability to rotate the strike and create important partnerships cements his position as an eminent player in the Rainbow Nation's batting lineup.

9. Ben Duckett (England)

Ben Duckett has developed into one of the world's best opener in the world in recent times. Known for his aggressive batting approach and ability to take on top-tier bowlers from the first ball. He showcased his skills in the India series in the subcontinent, scoring some wonderful starts for the team. Representing England in all formats, his aggressive mentality at the crease has perfectly aligned with England's "Bazball" strategy in Test cricket. His performances in the 2025 Champions Trophy reflected his development.

Ben Duckett's fine technique and aggressive style are factors in retaining him as the world's best opening batsman. With the low physical height, Duckett's style never alters. The brilliant reflexes of his quick response, coupled with very good footwork, enable him to deal well with spin as well as pace. In what must be yet another push from England for success internationally, his experience will help to score high targets as well as achieve a successful chase.

8. Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Babar Azam is one of the world's best opening batsmen. With his exceptional timing, elegant stroke play, and rock-solid technique, the former Pakistan captain has rewritten the rules of modern cricket. With an almost effortless ability to find gaps and score runs at ease, Babar has established himself as the backbone of Pakistan's batting lineup.

Babar's career as an opener has been distinguished by several standout performances. His ability to score at a good pace in the power play, along with an amazing style of play, enables him to adapt to a variety of situations and forms. Whether it's the bouncy tracks of Australia, swinging conditions in England, or spin-friendly grounds of the subcontinent, Babar remains unaltered, scoring runs with ease. He is not just a player who gets the team off to a good start, he ensures that his contributions are match-defining.

7. Usman Khawaja (Australia)

Usman Khawaja's calm nature and impeccable technique have assisted him in becoming one of the best opening batters in the world. Khawaja, with his unshakeable temperament and sheer stroke play, is the kind of opener who instills solidity and calmness in the crease and sets the platform for massive scores. Khawaja's return in Test cricket, particularly during the 2023-2024 season, demonstrated his ability to adapt and prosper in difficult situations.

His century against South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground demonstrated patience and timing. He plays to dominate, slowly wearing down the bowlers with his traditional technique. His left-handed grace and excellent shot selection enable him to comfortably find gaps, frequently turning solid beginnings into big scores. In the age of dominant modern attacking cricket, the Southpaw's traditional style of playing cricket emerged as a treasured resource for Australia.

6. Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka)

Dimuth Karunaratne has been the pillar of Sri Lanka's top order, and he is now one of the best opening batsmen in the world. His solidarity and amazing strokeplay at the top order have been pivotal in granting stability to his side, especially in the demanding format of Test cricket. Karunaratne, renowned for his patience and technical prowess, thrives in difficult situations when others fail.

Karunaratne's ability to depart deliveries with confidence and punish stray balls distinguishes him. His records in overseas conditions, including South Africa and New Zealand, have proved his adaptability. In the seaming and swinging pitches of Johannesburg in 2019, Karunaratne's gritty century proved his mental strength and excellent technique. At his prime, he was the best opener in the world in Test cricket.

5. Yashasvi Jaiswal (India)

Yashasvi Jaiswal has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of the top opening batters in the world. His path from selling street food in Mumbai to wearing the Indian jersey is nothing short of inspiring. Jaiswal's batting style is the ideal combination of elegance and ferocity, putting him a threat to any bowling attack from the first ball.

Jaiswal made his breakthrough at the U-19 World Cup, where he finished as the tournament's leading run scorer. Since his debut with the Indian squad, he has performed admirably in all formats, particularly the red ball format. He has formed one of the best opening batsman pair in world cricket at the moment alongside Rohit Sharma.

He has been a flamboyant opener, but he is also capable of grinding through tough situations and accelerating when necessary. He showcased that in the Australia series down under against the Kangaroos, where he scored 448 runs at an average of 56.00. He scored two centuries and a fifty in his first tour. He was also the highest run-getter in the England series at home, where he scored 712 runs. The Southpaw will look to showcase his talent in the forthcoming series in England.

4. Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)

Rachin Ravindra is gradually making a name for himself in international cricket. His rise to international cricket has been a pleasure to watch him play. Ravindra, who is not one to get nervous, is good with his technique and can keep his cool under pressure, has turned out to be a valuable player for New Zealand. He has been a sensational talent for the Black Caps. In the forthcoming years, he will surely be one of the best leaders for the side as well.

Ravindra started his career in limited-overs, but he has proven to be an incredibly adaptable player as an opener. The fact that he rotates the strikes, bats runs over extended periods, and accelerates whenever required exemplifies his efficiency as a top-order batsman. New Zealand supporters have lots to look forward to as his career is truly evergreen. In his maiden series, he managed to salvage an entire Test match for the Kiwis while in India.

3. Travis Head (Australia)

Travis Head has established himself as one of the world's top opening batters. His ability to demolish the best bowling attacks in the first few overs sets the tone for Australia, frequently providing a solid foundation. Unlike traditional openers who take their time settling in, Head is noted for his rapid starts. His innings in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 still haunts the Indian fans and the cricketers. He took away the match from the Men in Blue single-handedly.

His aggressive style gives the Kangaroos control early on, giving the team an advantage in critical situations. He is also regarded as the best opener in the world by many cricket pundits. One of the strongest points of Head's batting is his batting range. He can be conservative and defend the wicket, or he can be aggressive and play shots during the powerplay. He, along with Abhishek Sharma in the IPL, changed the dynamics of opening batting in 2024, and they have also become one of the best opening batsman pairs in the world of IPL.

2. Shubman Gill (India)

Shubman Gill has established himself as one of the best opening batsman in the world. From being a U-19 wonder to becoming a pillar at the top of India's batting order, his journey has been nothing short of spectacular. Gill's batting style is a combination of beauty and aggression. His ability to easily pierce gaps and confidently play both spin and pace makes him a nightmare for bowlers across formats, especially in the ODI format.

His crisp cover drives, backfoot punches, and flicks off the pads are reminiscent of a seasoned veteran, despite his young age. His presence at the crease symbolizes stability, flair, and the promise of big runs every time he takes guard. The year 2023 marked a significant rise in Gill's career. He clinched the Orange Cap in the IPL by scoring a staggering 890 runs, including three centuries. He also became the fastest player to reach 2000 runs, achieving this feat in just 38 innings.

1. Rohit Sharma (India)

Rohit Sharma, called the "Hitman" of Indian cricket, has made a massive impact in white-ball cricket through his destructive batting, remarkable consistency, and capability to make a game-changing knock in high-profile tournaments. Rohit has time and again rewritten the record books, in either white-ball cricket or Tests, with his lazy elegance, which makes him the best opener in the world currently.. His performances in ICC games, dominance of IPL for Mumbai Indians, and unmatched skills for hitting sixes have won him international appreciation.

The 38-year-old’s career as a cricketer changed after he started opening for India in 2013. Since then, he has never looked back. Rohit has the record for the most double centuries by any batter in ODI cricket. The former India test captain's achievements are remarkable. He also has a brilliant record as a leader, striking the right balance of fiery confidence in his captaincy. He announced his retirement from Test cricket on Wednesday but is still seen as the best opening batsman in the world currently.

Who Is The Best Opener In The World Currently?

Rohit Sharma, India

Rohit's six-hitting looks almost beautiful, whether it's a pull shot off a fast bowler or a smooth slog over deep midwicket against a spinner. His elegant and has great timing, and he holds the record for most runs in T20I cricket, making him a giant of the shortest version of the game. His ability to smash world-class bowling attacks at the subcontinent and overseas is a sight that cricket fans have loved all through these years. He understands the game well enough to know when to accelerate and when to slow his pace to anchor. As a result, he can be termed the current best opener in the world.