5 most successful opening pairs for India in ODIs

#4 Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag

Span- 2003-2013

Opening pair featuring two Delhi boys

These two only got the opportunity to open when India's first choice opener Tendulkar was not available and that is the reason there was a gap of 10 years between their first and last innings together as openers of India. Yet, this partnership, which was highly successful in longest format, managed to produce many unforgettable performances and victories for India.

This all-Delhi duo opened the innings for India in only 38 ODIs in which they scored 1870 runs at a stunning average of 50.54. Gambhir and Sehwag shared five century-plus stands and seven fifty-plus partnerships in ODI cricket, with a partnership of 201 against New Zealand being their best partnership as openers.

#3 Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag

Span- 2002-2012

Sachin-Sehwag pair played a major role for India in 2011 Cricket World Cup

This pair can be at best regarded as the pairing of Master and Student. The pair of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar is one of the most destructive opening pairs in the history of Indian Cricket. While Sehwag was known for his explosive batting, Tendulkar complimented him with his own steady and classy stroke play. The duo played a major role in India's victory in 2011 World Cup.

Playing at the top of the order in 93 innings, the Sachin-Sehwag pair scored 3919 runs at an average of 42.13. These two legends shared 12 century-plus stands and 18 fifty-plus stands in ODIs including their best partnership of 182 runs.