A strong start in cricket often makes all the difference, and the saying “Well begun is half done” fits the sport perfectly. When the openers give a solid start, it helps the middle order play with confidence and keeps the pressure off the team. A steady or attacking partnership at the top usually lays the foundation for a big total or a successful chase.
The openers of India have over the years made many memorable knocks in the key matches. But it has taken a single instance where Team India has registered a 100 plus opening partnership in knockout matches of both the Men and Women ODI World Cups -the legendary 104-run unbroken stand between Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma in the 2025 Women world cup final. Their fearless performance at the batting table provided India with an ideal beginning to a tense game.
With such a record in mind, here is a preview of the five best opening liaisons of India in ODI world cup knockouts- moments that defined history and predetermined the greatest victories by India on the global scene.
1. Smriti Mandhana & Shafali Verma (104) – ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, Final
India received a dream reception in the final of World Cup at Navi Mumbai against South Africa. Verma, a 104-run partnership with Smriti Mandhana, created the ideal starting point to a large total, on 106 balls. They played their stroke with a lot of confidence and got the middle order in a high-stakes match off the hook.
It was Mandhana who was sent away and disappointed with a fluent 45 that had eight fours and Shafali did not stop her offensive game. Her second match in the tournament, she played everybody as she made 87 out of 78 balls, breaking seven boundaries and two sixes. India had a head start with her fearless style.
The pair played the new ball with intelligence and controlled pace and spin throughout their residence. Their strong opening position helped India score 298 total in 50 overs and they were in the strong position in the final.
2. Sachin Tendulkar & Navjot Sidhu (90) – ICC Men’s World Cup 1996, Quarterfinal
During the 1996 world cup quarter final that lasted against Pakistan, at Bangalore, the openers gave a stable start to India. Sachin Tendulkar and Navjot Sidhu made the first wicket score 90 in 21.2 overs providing strong ground in which the middle order was to develop.
Tendulkar gathered his head, and made a calm 31 and was thrown out, Sidhu held the innings together splendidly. He proceeded to make 93 runs which made him the highest score in the match in India and was afterwards awarded the Player of the Match as a result of his crucial role.
Their association was significant towards the overall 287/8 of India in 50 overs. It was a solid beginning that enabled India to achieve a tough score and finally claim the match by 39 runs to reach semifinals.
3. Rohit Sharma & Shikhar Dhawan (75) – ICC Men’s World Cup 2015, Quarterfinal
India topped the group stage of the 2015 World Cup in Melbourne with a 100 percent record against Bangladesh in the quarterfinals. India took an excellent opening score as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan put on 75 runs to the opening wicket in 16.3 overs and this gave India a good platform to begin with.
Dhawan was sent home with a 30-day suspension although Rohit proceeded to have a match-winning 137 in 126 balls with 14 fours and three sixes. His intense batting assisted India to have a constant run rate during the innings.
India recorded a huge score of 302/6 in the 50 overs due to the efforts of the openers. This was followed by the bowlers as India easily won by 109 runs to make it to the semifinals.
4. Sachin Tendulkar & Virender Sehwag (74) – ICC Men’s World Cup 2003, Semifinal
During the semifinal match of the 2003 World Cup against Kenya, the Indian crusaders Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag began carefully on a Durban surface that was tricky. They contributed 74 runs to the first wicket in 111 balls making sure that India did not lose early momentum.
Sehwag had been sacked with 33, yet Tendulkar kept on building up on the strong start by adding 103 crucial run partnership with Sourav Ganguly. Tendulkar struggled to make an 83 on 101 balls, with five boundaries and a six.
India had 270400/50 and Ganguly had 111. Bowlers followed this with the bowling out of Kenya at 179 and India secured easily a 91 run win and a place in the world cup final.
5. Rohit Sharma & Shubman Gill (71) – ICC Men’s World Cup 2023, Semifinal
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided India with a flying start in the 2023 world cup semifinal against New Zealand in the Wankhede stadium, Mumbai. The two contributed 71 runs in 50 balls, not wasting a single ball, and taking off in the first over.
Rohit was quick with a score of 47 in 29 balls; he hit four fours and four sixes and Gill played a restrained but sophisticated innings. He hit 79 out of 65 balls, and then retired momentarily, a sore cramped person.
India capitalized on the rapid start to post a massive 397 for 4 in 50 overs. Mohammed Shami’s record seven-wicket haul later sealed a 70-run win, sending India into the final in grand style.
