ODI World Cup 2023: Ranking best openers in the tournament

David Warner. (Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

The 2023 World Cup will begin on November 5, 2023, with the inaugural clash between 2019 World Cup finalists England and New Zealand at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium. Indian pitches are known for being batting-friendly so there are high chances of batters dominating the upcoming competition.

In the marquee One-Day International (ODI) event, all sides will expect their openers to be exceptional with their bats coming heavily on bowlers. Keeping that in mind, it’s essential to rank some openers who are expected to rock the upcoming tournament with their remarkable batting skills.

Here are the rankings of openers who are expected to be at their best in the 2023 World Cup

10. Temba Bavuma

Temba Bavuma. (Photo Source: Twitter)

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma has looked amazing with his bat in 2023. In his 10 ODI appearances, this year, he has scored 637 runs with three tons and two fifties. The right-handed batter kicked off this year positively, becoming the highest run-getter for his side in his team’s victory against England in a three-match ODI series at home.

In South Africa’s 2-1 triumph against England, Bavuma chipped in with 180 runs with a hundred in three games. The Protea skipper continued his excellent form against the West Indies in a three-match ODI series held in March. This time, he contributed a 144-run knock to his team in the second one-day played at the Buffalo Park. 

The 33-year-old looked fine in the five-match ODI series against Australia as well. In the first game at Mangaung Oval, he stood as a lone warrior in South Africa’s batting line-up, scoring 114 off 142. These performances indicate that the Protea captain can get the better of bowlers in the upcoming World Cup.

9. Imam-ul-Haq

Imam ul Haq celebrates his hundred. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Pakistan are facing a lot of criticism for their dismal performance in recent matches. Amidst these difficult times, their skipper Babar Azam will want opener Imam-ul-Haq to play his part well in the 2023 World Cup. Imam has performed efficiently for Pakistan in the ODI format in the last few years.

In 2022, the southpaw ended up as the second-leading run-scorer for Pakistan in ODIs with 505 runs in eight matches at an average of 72.14. Imam is looking good with his bat in 2023 as well. The 27-year-old has scored 448 runs with five fifties in 11 innings of 12 one-day matches.

Imam will have to step up with his bat in the 2023 World Cup and deliver sensational starts to his team. His bat remained quiet in the high-voltage game against India in Asia Cup 2023 and his absence in the do-or-die match against Sri Lanka also cost the team. In the upcoming tournament, he will look to remain fit and deliver impeccable numbers to his team with the bat.

8. Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Rahmanullah-Gurbaz. (Photo by Darrian Traynor-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Afghanistan’s performance hasn’t been up to the mark in ODI World Cups. After appearing in two instalments (2015 and 2019 editions) of the World Cup, the Afghan team has won only one game. This time, they will look to upset other sides with their excellence and prowess.

The Afghan team has a lot of match-winners who possess the ability to cause damage to the opponents. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the wicketkeeper batter and opener, has displayed his talent with the bat while serving the team since 2021. The 21-year-old has scored 958 runs in just 26 innings of 26 one-day matches.

In this World Cup, he can become the fastest Afghan batter to score 1000 runs in the ODI format. The youngster recently notched up his best ODI score of 151 against Pakistan at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium. This knock became notable as Gurbaz exhibited audacity against Pakistan’s quality bowling unit which consisted of big names such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf.  

7. Pathum Nissanka

Pathum Nissanka. (Photo Source: Twitter/ICC)

Sri Lanka were once one of the most dangerous teams in the World Cups. From 1996 to 2011, they played quality cricket and qualified for the knockouts four times. After the 2015 World Cup, legends such as Kumar Sangakkara, Tilakaratne Dilshan, and Mahela Jayawardene retired from international cricket and Sri Lanka’s performance declined in all formats of the sport, including ODIs as well.

In the 2019 World Cup, they ended up in the sixth spot on the points table with three wins and four losses. This time, the World Cup will be played in India and Sri Lanka’s endeavours will be to showcase their best in familiar conditions. The 1996 champions have a talented opener like Pathum Nissanka, who has been performing well in ODI cricket for the last two years. 

Nissanka was the highest run-getter for Sri Lanka in 2022, amassing 491 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 86.44. This year, the right-handed opener is looking in great touch with his bat. He has scored 819 runs with two centuries and five fifties in 20 ODIs, thus far. Noting the 25-year-old’s fine numbers with the bat, the Sri Lanka cricket team will want him to have a blast in the upcoming ODI event.

6. Devon Conway

Devon Conway- 152* (121) vs ENG, 2023 World Cup. (Photo Source: ICC)

New Zealand have a lot of underrated players in their team. Players such as Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and Tom Latham are performing exceptionally with their bats in ODI cricket consistently but they aren’t discussed much among cricket supporters. 

Conway started this year positively with the bat. The Kiwi side emerged victorious against Pakistan in a three-match ODI series by 2-1 and in this notable triumph, the stylish opener played an instrumental role with his bat. He hit a scintillating ton in the second ODI in Karachi and helped his team make a comeback in the series with a 79-run win.

In the third ODI, he chipped in with a half-century in his side’s two-wicket win. Conway struggled to be among the runs in the first two ODIs against India earlier, this year but in the third ODI, he again hit the headlines for his 138-run innings off 100 deliveries. The southpaw’s current form and decent performances in sub-continent conditions allude that he can make New Zealand’s journey in this World Cup memorable.

5. Dawid Malan

Dawid Malan. (Photo Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Dawid Malan will be seen supporting Jonny Bairstow as an opener in the World Cup 2023. The 36-year-old isn’t a regular opening batter but his batting figures are superb at the number two batting position. Serving his team as an opener in 11 ODIs, Malan has scored 560 runs with two hundreds and four fifties.

In the four-match ODI series against New Zealand at home, Malan played three games and looked sensational with his bat, accumulating 277 runs with a hundred and two fifties. His extraordinary knock of 127 off 114 in the fourth ODI guided England to a convincing 100-run win. The southpaw also received the Player of the Match award for his innings.

Malan’s batting numbers are decent in India. In 2021, when England toured India for a three-match ODI series, the English stalwart saw himself among the runs. Playing two games in the series, he hit 66 runs with a fifty in the third ODI at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium. 

4. Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow. (Photo Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Jonny Bairstow’s experience will be crucial for England to defend the title in the upcoming World Cup. The 34-year-old has been active in ODI cricket since September 2011 and currently, he is one of the most experienced in the England squad. In England’s maiden title victory in 2019, Bairstow ended up as the second-leading run-getter for his team with 532 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 92.84.

This time, England will rely on Bairstow again for marvellous starts in matches. The veteran has played nine matches in India and has scored 324 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 98.78. During the 2021 tour of India, Bairstow dominated bowlers with his spunky batting attitude.

With 219 runs in three matches at a magnificent strike rate of 120.32, the wicketkeeper batter concluded the series as the leading run-scorer. In the second ODI, he guided England to a six-wicket win with his remarkable 124-run knock from 112 balls. Considering the star batter’s sensational numbers in the sub-continent nation, England will look for a fine contribution from his bat in the marquee event to be played in India.

3. David Warner

David Warner. (Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

David Warner will appear for the last time in the World Cups and he will strive to make his last edition of the World Cup incredible with his vast experience and skills. The Australia legend has won a lot of games for his team with his opening batting in his 15-year ODI career. In the last few years, he has gone through a lot of ups and downs due to his plummeting performance.

Ahead of the World Cup 2023, the southpaw regained his form with the bat. During the South Africa tour, he exuded confidence from his bat, piling up 206 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 121.17. In the second ODI at Mangaung Oval, the 36-year-old chipped in with a century in his team’s massive 123-run win.

Warner continued his brilliant work in a three-match one-day competition in India. Against the Men in Blue, the veteran smashed 161 runs with three fifties in three contests. Warner’s international experience and familiarity with Indian conditions might play a vital part in Australia’s campaign in the 2023 World Cup.

2. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: Nigel French/PA Images via Getty Images)

Rohit Sharma will be expected to lead India from the front and end the team’s International Cricket Council (ICC) trophy drought which has been going on since 2014. The veteran’s ODI record is mind-boggling in India. The legendary batter has played 80 ODIs in his country, in which he notched up 4148 runs with 12 tons and 19 fifties. 

The 36-year-old has scored three double tons in ODIs and all those spectacular knocks were played at home. These records will embolden confidence of Rohit to take bowling units to the cleaners in the upcoming World Cup. The India skipper looked great against Australia in a recently concluded three-match ODI series at home.

Playing the third ODI, he hit a rapid 81 off 57 against the quality bowling unit of Australia. In the 2019 World Cup edition, Rohit became the leading run-getter with 648 runs in nine matches, and this time, Rohit will be expected to continue his brilliant work for two-time World champions.

1. Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill. (Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Shubman Gill is ruling ODI cricket nowadays with his stunning batting shows. In the Asia Cup 2023, he hit 302 runs with a hundred and two fifties in six matches. The dashing India opener showcased his mettle with the bat in a three-match one–day series against Australia as well.

With 178 runs in two matches at a strike rate of 111.25, he ended up as the leading run-getter in the competition. Shubman’s efficient performance with the bat has placed him in the second spot on ICC Men’s ODI rankings for batters. This year, he also became the youngest batter to notch up a double ton in the ODI format, with his 208-run innings from 149 deliveries.

In 2023, he is the leading run-scorer in the one-day format, with 1230 runs in 20 matches at a strike rate of 105.03. Noting his phenomenal batting numbers, it will be interesting to see how the young opener will perform in his debut World Cup edition. The 24-year-old will carry the responsibility of supporting his senior colleagues Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the top order.