In the fast-paced T20I format, the batters need to score runs from the word go. The opening batters must use the powerplay to their benefit to set their team’s innings on a high note.
To do that, they must use aggressive tactics to boost the total and set the stage for the upcoming batters to have a go at the bowlers. Now there are high chances that the openers might lose their wickets while attempting risky shots, but if they consistently score runs, they might end up with a better average.
On that note, we’ll look at the top 10 openers with the highest batting average in T20I (min. 30 innings).
Highest Batting Average as Opener in T20I
| Player | Team | Innings | Runs | Average as Opener |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Rizwan | Pakistan | 76 | 3162 | 51.83 |
| Karanbir Singh | Austria | 33 | 1465 | 48.83 |
| Jos Buttler | England | 62 | 2307 | 46.14 |
| Phil Salt | England | 39 | 1374 | 41.63 |
| Ramesh Satheesan | Romania | 33 | 1154 | 39.79 |
| Collins Obuya | Kenya | 31 | 968 | 38.72 |
| Sabawoon Davizi | Czech Republic | 34 | 1189 | 38.35 |
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | 87 | 2973 | 38.11 |
| Muhammad Waseem | UAE | 88 | 3141 | 37.84 |
| Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 41 | 1259 | 37.02 |
Key Insights
50: Pakistan’s keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan is the only opener who has a 50+ batting average. And he is leading the chart with an impressive average of over 55.
25: Over 25 openers boast an average of 30+ in T20Is, with some batters from associate nations also marking their presence among the elites.
5: India’s dashing opener Rohit Sharma, whose average is a little over 32, has smacked 5 T20I centuries while opening the innings for India. This is the most centuries a batter has smashed at a particular position in T20Is.
160: New Zealand Colin Munro and Finn Allen are the only 2 batters with a 160+ strike rate while donning the hat of openers.
