In the history of One Day International (ODI) cricket, India's opening batsmen have been responsible for turning the fortunes of the team. These openers not only provide the platform for daunting totals but also dictate the mood of the innings with their characteristic styles and tactics. From the classical style of Sachin Tendulkar to the aggressive style of Virender Sehwag, India's opening combinations have been a mix of art and aggression. This article explores the most successful Indian openers in ODI cricket history and their performances in the ICC Champions Trophy, emphasizing their contribution and influence on the game. Most Runs for India as Openers in ODI Cricket History Player Matches Innings Runs Highest Score Average Strike Rate 100s 50s Sachin Tendulkar 344 340 15,310 200* 48.29 88.04 45 75 Sourav Ganguly 242 236 9,146 183 41.57 73.59 19 58 Rohit Sharma 184 182 9,034 264 54.75 96.39 30 44 Virender Sehwag 204 202 7,240 219 36.93 104.85 14 34 Shikhar Dhawan 166 164 6,793 143 44.11 91.35 17 39 Player Descriptions Sachin Tendulkar Image Source : AFP Universally considered to be among the finest batsmen cricket has seen, Sachin Tendulkar's ODI career lasted from 1989 until 2012. As an opener, he scored 15,310 runs at a mean of 48.29, including 45 hundreds and 75 half-centuries. His best score of 200* against South Africa in 2010 was the first double hundred in ODI cricket. Tendulkar's unblemished technique and dependability made him the pillar of India's batting order for more than two decades. Also Read | Top Highest Run Chases in ODI Cricket History Sourav Ganguly Image Source : AFP Elegant stroke play and aggressive captaincy are the hallmarks of Sourav Ganguly. He developed a strong opening partnership with Tendulkar. Ganguly scored 9,146 runs as an opener between 1996 and 2007, with an average of 41.57. His best score of 183 was against Sri Lanka during the 1999 World Cup. Ganguly's batting and leadership were the reasons behind India's return to the top on the international scene. Rohit Sharma Image Source : Getty Images Rohit Sharma, popularly known as the 'Hitman' due to his easy six-hitting capability, has transformed opening batting in ODIs. Having adopted the opener's position in 2013, he has scored 9,034 runs at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 96.39. His career consists of three double centuries with a top score of 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014, the highest ODI individual score ever. Virender Sehwag Image Source : AFP Virender Sehwag introduced an aggressive style in opening the innings, generally breaking down bowling attacks. During 2001-2013, he made 7,240 runs with a strike rate of 104.85. His 219 against West Indies in 2011 was the record ODI score then. Sehwag's dominance right from the beginning made him a game-changer for India. Shikhar Dhawan Image Source : AFP Shikhar Dhawan's aggressive batting and reliability have established him as a key component of India's ODI team since 2010. With 6,793 runs at a batting average of 44.11, Dhawan has been especially successful in ICC events, delivering strong starts and stabilizing the innings when required. Most Runs for India as Openers in Champions Trophy History Player Matches Innings Runs Highest Score Average Strike Rate 100s 50s Shikhar Dhawan 10 10 701 125 77.88 101.59 3 3 Sourav Ganguly 11 11 665 141* 73.88 83.12 3 3 Rohit Sharma 13 13 557 123* 46.41 85.56 1 4 Sachin Tendulkar 11 10 402 141 40.20 84.98 1 1 Virender Sehwag 10 10 389 126 48.62 100.77 1 2 Player Descriptions Shikhar Dhawan Image Source : AFP Shikhar Dhawan has been India's highest run-scorer in the Champions Trophy, scoring 701 runs in 10 innings at a staggering average of 77.88 and strike rate of 101.59. His performances in the 2013 and 2017 tournaments were crucial to India's victory. In 2013, he was the top run-scorer, scoring two centuries and guiding India to the championship. His attacking yet calm style led India to overwhelm powerplay overs. Even in 2017, he carried on his brilliant run, topping the list of run-scoring players once again, demonstrating his ICC tournament consistency. Sourav Ganguly Image Source : Getty Images Sourav Ganguly displayed his class during the Champions Trophy, scoring 665 runs in 11 innings with a mind-boggling average of 73.88. His unbeaten 141* from the 2000 tournament against South Africa was one of the most iconic innings in the tournament's history. Ganguly's capability to build innings and kickstart the team when needed was one of India's most trusted openers. His leadership abilities also significantly impacted India's ICC tournament performances. With three centuries to his credit in the tournament, he is still among India's top Champions Trophy performers. Rohit Sharma Image Source : Getty Images Rohit Sharma has been a consistent opener for India in the Champions Trophy, scoring 557 runs in 13 innings at an average of 46.41. His best score of 123* was a reflection of his ability to hold together innings while alsoAccelerating at times. Sharma was central to India's 2013 title triumph, offering solid openings at the top in partnership with Shikhar Dhawan. His calm approach at the crease and his ability to acclimatize to varied conditions have made him one of the best openers of India in ICC events, and his inclusion has always served as a fillip to India's batting department. Sachin Tendulkar Image Source : ESPN India's all-time ODI great Sachin Tendulkar made his presence felt in the Champions Trophy with 402 runs from 10 innings at a 40.20 average. His 141 against Australia in the 1998 event showcased his pure dominance of good attacks. Although Tendulkar's Champions Trophy figures were not as spectacular as his overall ODI career, his knack of giving good starts proved very effective. His presence at the crease tended to lay the platform for India's middle-order, and his experience proved priceless in mentoring younger players in high-pressure ICC tournaments. Virender Sehwag Image Source : AFP Virender Sehwag, who was famous for his aggressive batting, scored 389 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 100.77 in the Champions Trophy. His aggressive attitude left opposition bowlers on the back foot from the first over itself. His career-best 126 was against England in the 2002 championship, when he devastated the bowling unit. Sehwag was a threatening prospect in knockout events with his skill to make runscoring rapidly during the powerplay. He did not make as many huge innings as the other players did, but the effect of Sehwag on top order cannot be questioned. Also Read Top 10 Most Expensive Spells in ODI History Conclusion The Indian opening batsmen have made a difference to the Champions Trophy, laying down the platform for fantastic performances. From Shikhar Dhawan's sheer dominance of ICC tournaments to Ganguly's classical stroke play and captaincy, these batsmen have put India's hopes on many an occasion. Rohit Sharma's consistency, Tendulkar's class, and Sehwag's attacking nature have all been part of India's success in the tournament. All of these batsmen had a different style of opening the innings, and thus India's top order was one of the strongest in ODI cricket. Their capacity to handle varied conditions and perform in pressure matches has played a crucial role in India's performances. With such legendary openers at the forefront, India's global tournament foundation has always been strong. When the next generation succeeds them, their legacy will also be the inspiration for future Indian openers seeking to dominate on the world stage.