10 middle-order batsmen who became great openers

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma has the highest individual score in ODIs to his name.

With a settled top order in place, Rohit Sharma was handed a berth in the middle order when he made his debut for the ODI team in 2007. He clung on to his place in the side, but irregular contributions were becoming a major source of concern. Till 2012, he had batted as an opener only thrice, and the results hadn't been inspiring.

Come 2013, and there was a different Rohit for the world to see. Against England in early 2013, he opened the batting with Gautam Gambhir and made a stroke-filled 83. He gradually started giving starts and was persisted at the top. However, the deal clincher came against Australia in October 2013, when he blasted an unbeaten 141. In that very series, he compiled a mammoth 209, and followed it up with a scintillating, record-breaking effort of 264 the very next year. Still 29, there's lots of fuel left in his tank. And, the sky is the limit.