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 | Innings | Runs | Average as Opener |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Rizwan (PAK) | 74 | 3077 | 52.15 |
| Jos Buttler (ENG) | 58 | 2171 | 47.19 |
| Phil Salt (ENG) | 30 | 1028 | 41.12 |
| Muhammad Waseem (UAE) | 62 | 2294 | 39.55 |
| Collins Obuya (KENYA) | 31 | 968 | 38.72 |
| Babar Azam (PAK) | 86 | 2973 | 38.61 |
| Brendon McCullum (NZ) | 41 | 1259 | 37.02 |
| KL Rahul (IND) | 54 | 1826 | 36.52 |
| Avinash Pai (GIBR) | 33 | 981 | 36.33 |
| Taranjeet Singh (ROM) | 32 | 1087 | 36.23 |
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.
