Openers are often very valuable to any side, especially in Test cricket. Good opening partnerships in the red-ball game help set a tone and play an important role in determining the course of the game.
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In its long Test history, Team India has faced several formidable opening pairs. While the side has produced some world-class new ball bowlers, there have been occasions when the opposition has gotten the better of their early spells and laid a solid foundation.
The Sporting News takes a look at the most runs scored by an opening pair in Tests against India.
Opening pairs with most runs in Tests against India
India has been on the receiving end of such formidable opening pairs on several occasions. In their rich Test cricket history, only one opening pair has scored more than 1000 runs against India. Gordon Greenidge and DL Haynes of the West Indies achieved this feat in the 1980s.
In modern-day cricket, one opening pair that has been difficult for India to break through has been the English duo of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley. The two English openers have troubled India's bowling attack on several instances.
Even in India's Test series against England in 2025, the two batters have stitched two hundred-plus opening stands (188 & 166) and also a half-century stand (92 runs)
Top 5 most runs by an opening pair against India in Tests
| Partners | Span | Innings | Runs | Average | Highest | 50+ | 100+ |
| CG Grenidge, Dl Haynes (West Indies) | 1983-1989 | 30 | 1325 | 45.68 | 296 | 6 | 2 |
| Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley (England) | 2024-2025 | 18 | 984 | 54.66 | 188 | 6 | 2 |
| AN Cook, AJ Strauss (England) | 2006-2011 | 20 | 933 | 46.65 | 186 | 5 | 2 |
| WM Lawry, RB Simpson (Australia) | 1964-1968 | 9 | 753 | 83.66 | 191 | 5 | 2 |
| M Hayden, J Langer (Australia) | 2003-2004 | 16 | 714 | 44.62 | 147 | 5 | 2 |
Top 5 most 50+ partnerships against India in Tests
| Partners | Innings | Runs | Average | Highest | 50+ |
| CG Grenidge, Dl Haynes (West Indies) | 30 | 1325 | 45.68 | 296 | 8 |
| Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley (England) | 18 | 984 | 54.66 | 188 | 8 |
| AN Cook, AJ Strauss (England) | 20 | 933 | 46.65 | 186 | 7 |
| M Hayden, Justin Langer (Australia) | 16 | 714 | 44.62 | 147 | 7 |
| WM Lawry, RB Simpson (Australia) | 9 | 753 | 83.66 | 191 | 7 |