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The explosive opening partnership of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir brought a new level of aggression and strategy to Indian cricket. Their ability to dominate bowlers from the start played a crucial role in many of India’s memorable victories. In this article, we explore 20 key facts that illustrate Sehwag and Gambhir Impact as Openers And their significant contributions as openers and the lasting impact they made on the sport.1
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After uniting in 2004, Sehwag and Gambhir became India's most prolific opening pair. Together, they scored 4,412 runs in 87 Tests at an average of 52.52, the highest for any Indian pair opening in at least 70 matches.
Their most prolific partnership came in 2008 against Sri Lanka, where they put on 233 runs together in Galle, laying the foundation for India’s innings victory. 1
Sehwag’s aggressive stroke play perfectly complemented Gambhir’s solid and composed approach, making them a formidable opening pair, especially in challenging overseas conditions. 2
In 2009, Sehwag and Gambhir were ranked among the top Test openers in the world, helping India achieve the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings for the first time. 3
The pair shared 11 century partnerships in Test cricket, the fourth-highest for an Indian opening duo, with several of these partnerships coming against top-ranked teams like Australia and South Africa. 4
Their highest partnership in ODIs was 201 runs, achieved against New Zealand in 2009, helping India win the match comfortably. Their aggressive starts often set the tone for big scores.
Sehwag was known for his fearless batting, often attacking bowlers from the start, while Gambhir played the anchor role, allowing the pair to adapt to various match situations effectively. 5
Both players were key in India’s historic 2008 Test series win in New Zealand, where their opening partnerships laid the foundation for India’s first series win in New Zealand in over 40 years.6
Sehwag and Gambhir partnership in the 2008 Chennai Test against England was crucial in helping India chase down 387, one of the highest successful run chases in Test history. 7
Their contrasting styles were instrumental in India’s success across all formats, with Sehwag’s ability to score quickly and Gambhir’s stability ensuring India rarely struggled at the top. 8
The duo played a key role in India's 2007 T20 World Cup win, with Gambhir scoring a crucial 75 in the final against Pakistan, setting up India’s win in the inaugural tournament. 9
Gambhir and Sehwag were both Delhi-based players, and their camaraderie off the field translated into a strong understanding while batting together, particularly in pressure situations.
In 2010, the pair put on a 176-run partnership against Australia in Bangalore, helping India chase down 207 on the final day, cementing their legacy as match-winners in high-pressure games. 10
Sehwag’s aggressive starts often relieved pressure on the middle order, while Gambhir’s ability to bat for long periods helped India build substantial totals, especially in Test cricket. 11
Together, Sehwag and Gambhir helped India win several key overseas series, including the 2010-11 series in South Africa, where their partnerships were vital in drawing the series 1-1. 12
Gambhir’s highest individual score of 206 against Australia in 2008 came while opening with Sehwag, as their 182-run partnership helped India post a massive total in the Delhi Test. 13
Sehwag and Gambhir's success as openers was not limited to Test cricket; they shared over 1,800 runs in ODIs, often giving India quick starts in high-scoring games. 14
Their aggressive and fearless approach often put pressure on opposition bowlers, making them one of the most feared opening pairs in world cricket during their peak. 15
In the 2011 World Cup, Gambhir played a pivotal role in the final against Sri Lanka, scoring 97, while Sehwag’s explosive starts earlier in the tournament helped India reach the knockout stages.
Sehwag and Gambhir impact as openers remains one of the highlights of Indian cricket, with their contributions helping India achieve several historic victories, both at home and abroad. 16
