India's top 5 ODI opening batsmen of all time

Modified Oct 15, 2016 19:49 IST

BANGALORE, INDIA - FEBRUARY 27: Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar of India enter the stadium during the 2011 ICC World Cup Group B match between India and England at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Bangalore, India. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images) — One of the most feared opening batsmen in world cricket

#3 Virender Sehwag

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 08: Virender Sehwag of India drives for four during the One Day International match between India and Sri Lanka at WACA on February 8, 2012 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images) — Sehwag’s fearless batting helped lay the foundation for the Indian batting

Dynamic and fearless are some of the words which strikes cricket fans’ mind when we hear the name Virender Sehwag. Sehwag didn’t have a flawless technique and even with minimal footwork, he produced greater results with his impressive hand and eye coordination.

In his illustrious career, the right-handed batsman notched up 8273 runs at an average of 35.05 with 15 centuries. The most noticeable aspect of his game was his strike rate of 104.33, which sets him apart from the rest.

(Video Courtesy: Sports Hunt YouTube Page)

Sehwag along with Gambhir formed a great ODI opening pair and played a key role to get India off to a great start. While Sehwag decimated the bowling attacks with his aggressive batting, Gambhir played the second fiddle. The 37-year-old also became the second Indian batsman to score a double hundred in ODIs after Sachin Tendulkar. He achieved this feat against West Indies in 2011 at Indore.

A replacement for such an explosive batsman at the top is going to be very hard to come by in the future for the Indian cricket team.