5 Players With The Most ODI Runs As An Opener Since 2011

An opener has a big responsibility in the game of cricket. A great start by openers gives good confidence to the team. On the other hand, when they fail to perform and lose their wickets cheaply, it put pressure on the other batsmen.

Thus, openers in cricket have a huge responsibility on their shoulders.

In the last decade, there are few batsmen who have risen to the top while batting at the opening position. These batsmen have not only impressed fans with their batting but have also emerged as one of the best batsmen in the sport during their active careers.

Their outstanding batting has mesmerized cricket fans from all around the globe. Here we take a look at 5 players with the most ODI runs as an opener since 2011.

5 Players With The Most ODI Runs As An Opener Since 2011

Tillakaratne Dilshan (5369 Runs)

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan is the 5th player on this list. He has scored 5369 runs as an opener in ODIs since 2011. The right-handed batsman has a brilliant average of 44.00 during the tenure. He also smashed 14 hundreds and 27 fifties at the opening slot in ODIs.

Overall, Dilshan has scored 10,290 runs in 303 innings in ODIs at an average of 39.27. He smashed a total of 22 centuries and 47 half-centuries in ODIs. He retired from international cricket in 2016.

Martin Guptill (5801 Runs)

Martin Guptill is the 4th highest run-getter as an opener in ODIs since 2011. The New Zealand cricketer has piled up 5801 runs while opening in ODIs since 2011. The right-handed batsman has an average of 44.96. At this batting position, the 34-year-old cricketer has knocked 15 centuries and 29 half-centuries.

Overall, Guptill has smashed 6927 runs in 183 innings in ODI cricket at an average of 41.98. He has smacked 16 hundreds and 37 fifties in total. His highest knock in ODIs is a double century of 237 runs.

Shikhar Dhawan (5977 Runs)

Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan is the 3rd player on this list. Dhawan has been a regular member of the Indian team for the last 7-8 years in the limited-overs format. Dhawan has always played as an opener in ODIs for India since his international debut in October 2010 against Australia. The left-handed batsman accounts for 5977 runs since 2011.

He has played 139 innings. He has an average of 45.62 and has hit 17 centuries and 32 centuries during the period. Dhawan also had a brilliant strike rate of 93.9 in ODIs so far.

Hashim Amla (6202 Runs)

Former South African cricketer Hashim Amla is the 2nd highest run-scorer as an opener in ODIs since 2011. The right-handed batsman has scored 6202 runs at an average of 47.34 during the tenure. The former South African skipper has also hit 21 centuries and 29 centuries while opening in ODIs since 2011.

Overall, Amla accounts for 8113 runs in 178 ODI innings at an average of 49.47. In his ODI career, Amla smacked 27 hundreds and 39 fifties. He retired from international cricket in August 2019.

Rohit Sharma (7238 Runs)

Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma is the highest run-getter in ODIs since 2011 while batting as an opener. His career graph took a flight when he was promoted as an opener in ODIs in 2013. The right-handed batsman has scored 7238 runs since 2011 at the opening batting position. He has a fabulous average of 57.44 and smashed 27 centuries and 31 half-centuries.

Overall, India’s limited-over vice-captain Sharma accounts for 9205 runs in 220 innings in ODIs at an average of 48.96. He has smashed 29 tons out of which there are 3 double centuries. Sharma has also hit 43 fifties in his ODI career so far.