Decoding fastest batters to complete 15,000 international runs as openers
Veteran Indian opener Rohit Sharma scored a fiery half-century in the opening ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo. In a tied match, he scored 58 off 47 balls with the help of seven fours and three sixes. The game saw him complete 15,000 international runs as an opener. Here we look at the fastest batters to accomplish 15,000 international runs while opening the innings.
Sachin Tendulkar - 331 innings
Rohit's former teammate Sachin Tendulkar tops this list as he accomplished the milestone in just 331 innings. As per ESPNcricinfo, he overall finished his career with 15,335 runs across 346 innings while opening at an average of 48.07. He scored 45 tons and 75 fifties while batting at the top. 15,310 of his runs as an opener came in ODIs.
Rohit Sharma - 352 innings
Rohit took 352 innings to accomplish this milestone. Overall, Rohit now has 15,039 runs while batting at the top at 46.56 (100s: 43, 50s: 77). Overall, he became the 10th opener with 15,000 international runs. Notably, Rohit was a middle-order batter in the initial half of his international career. However, he later made a mark while opening in all three formats.
David Warner - 361 innings
Australia's David Warner, who's now retired from international cricket, also opened in all three formats. While he took 361 innings to complete 15,000 international runs as an opener, he overall finished with 18,744 runs while batting at the top across 374 innings at 42.89. All of his 49 tons and 97 of his 98 international fifties have come as an opener.
Other members on this list
As mentioned, Rohit became the 10th opener to accomplish 15,000 international runs. Besides Tendulkar and Warner, he joined Sanath Jayasuriya, Chris Gayle, Graeme Smith, Desmond Haynes, Virender Sehwag, Tamim Iqbal, and Alastair Cook. India is the only nation with three batters on this list.
