XtraTime Web Desk: There can be no doubts as to who are the best opening pairs in the history of ODI cricket.
Former India cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly stands way on top of the ladder with 8227 runs from 176 innings at an average of 47.55. The next best opening partnership is between Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawerdene and Kumar Sangakkara who have amassed 5922 runs.
International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday tweeted a throwback picture of both Ganguly and Tendulkar with the above statistics.
The tweet from ICC read,“No other pair has crossed even 6,000 runs together in ODIs.”
Sachin Tendulkar ➕ Sourav Ganguly in ODIs:
👉 Partnerships: 176
👉 Runs: 8,227
👉 Average: 47.55No other pair has crossed even 6,000 runs together in ODIs 🤯 pic.twitter.com/VeWojT9wsr
— ICC (@ICC) May 12, 2020
Tendulkar replied the tweet from ICC by asking his former opening partner, how much he reckon both would have added with restriction of 4 fielders outside the ring and 2 new balls.
Tendulkar tweeted, “This brings back wonderful memories Dadi.” He also asked Ganguly, “How many more do you think we would’ve been able to score with the restriction of 4 fielders outside the ring and 2 new balls?”
This brings back wonderful memories Dadi.
How many more do you think we would’ve been able to score with the restriction of 4 fielders outside the ring and 2 new balls? 😉@SGanguly99 @ICC https://t.co/vPlYi5V3mo
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 12, 2020
Ganguly was prompt to reply the tweet from Tendulkar. Ganguly tweeted, “Another 4000 or so ..2 new balls..wow .. sounds like a cover drive flying to the boundary in the first over of the game.. for the remaining 50 overs @ICC @sachin_rt”
Another 4000 or so ..2 new balls..wow .. sounds like a cover drive flying to the boundary in the first over of the game.. for the remaining 50 overs 💪😊..@ICC @sachin_rt https://t.co/rJOaQpg3at
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) May 12, 2020
Both Tendulkar and Ganguly had an exemplary career in ODIs. Tendulkar ended up with 18426 runs with 49 centuries to his name in 463 ODI matches to his name with the highest score of 200* and an average of 44.83. Ganguly, on the other hand, made 11363 runs in 311 ODIs at an average of 41.02, 22 centuries to his name, and the highest score of 183.
The top five opening partnerships in ODI cricket are as follows:
Ganguly & Tendulkar 8,227
Jayawardene & Sangakkara 5,992
Dilshan & Sangakkara 5,475
Atapattu & Jayasuriya 5,462
Gilchrist & Hayden 5,409