IPL 2020: Top 3 opening combinations in IPL history

#1 Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith

Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith used to open for CSK as well as GL.

The duo of Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith is one of the best opening combinations in IPL history. The two players have opened the innings together for two different franchises in the league. They made their opening debut while playing for Chennai Super Kings in 2014 and later on did the same job for Gujarat Lions in 2016 and 2017 as well.

The pair is best remembered for decimating the opposition bowlers in the powerplay overs and was at its peak during IPL 2014, stitching together some brilliant partnerships.

Smith and McCullum recorded their first 100-run partnership for CSK in 2014 against Kings XI Punjab at Abu Dhabi, adding 123 runs on the board before the latter got out. They continued that momentum to the next year, once smashing the Mumbai Indians bowling line-up out of the park en route to scoring 109 runs for the opening wicket.

During the Chennai outfit's absence from the league, the Kiwi-Caribbean duo became a part of the Gujarat Lions side. Franchise change notwithstanding, the duo carried on with their game nonchalantly, stitching together some important partnerships up top.