![Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill for India [Source: @INSIDDE_OUT/X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768382518429_RohitSharmaandShubmanGillforIndia.jpg?type=hq)
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill for India [Source: @INSIDDE_OUT/X]
The second ODI between India and New Zealand at Rajkot is underway, and Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill once again delivered a solid opening stand. The duo put together a 75-run partnership, with Rohit Sharma contributing 24 runs and Shubman Gill scoring 41.
With this effort, they became only the second opening pair after Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar to record the most 50-plus opening partnerships for India at home in One-Day Internationals.
Rohit-Gill duo pips Gavaskar's record in most 50+ opening partnerships
Since Shubman Gill’s entry into India’s ODI setup, his role as an opener has been firmly paired with Rohit Sharma, who has been India’s established opener for over a decade.
Most 50+ Opening Partnerships for India at Home in ODIs:
- 14 - Virender Sehwag & Sachin Tendulkar
- 13* - Shubman Gill & Rohit Sharma
- 13 - Sourav Ganguly & Sachin Tendulkar
- 10 - Sunil Gavaskar & Kris Srikkanth
With their latest 50-plus stand, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill now have 13 such opening partnerships for India at home. They are level with Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, who also registered thirteen 50-plus opening stands during their era.
Next on the list are Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth, who have 10 such partnerships for India at home. With Gill and Rohit already matching legendary names, just two more 50-plus opening stands will see them top this elite list.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill's opening contributions
Rohit Sharma scored 24 off 38 balls in the IND vs NZ 2nd ODI, striking four boundaries, which reflected a relatively uncharacteristic approach from the batter who is widely known as the ‘Hitman’. His strike rate stood at 63.16, one of his lower returns in recent times, before he was dismissed by Kristiann Clarke in the 13th over, with India placed at 70/1.
For the unaware, Rohit Sharma has played 191 ODI innings as an opener, scoring 31 centuries and 48 half-centuries in that position. He averages an impressive 54.98 while striking at 96.27.
Shubman Gill, proving to be an equally reliable partner at the top, averages 56.70 from 54 ODI innings, with seven centuries and 15 half-centuries to his name. Apart from opening, Gill has also batted at number three on five occasions in his career, where he has scored a century and maintains an average of 53.20.
How did Rohit-Gill pair fare in NZ ODI series so far?
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill also put in a notable effort in the first ODI between India and New Zealand, although Rohit once again failed to make a significant impact.
Their opening partnership in the match was worth 39 runs off 52 deliveries, with Gill scoring 56 runs while Rohit Sharma was dismissed by Kyle Jamieson for 26 off 29 balls.
Nevertheless, India went on to win the first ODI despite Rohit’s early dismissal, as Virat Kohli anchored the chase with a brilliant 93 off 91, an innings that later propelled him to the ICC Men’s No. 1 ODI batter ranking.
