Best Openers in IPL 2022

As the format gets shorter, it becomes more critical. As a result, opening the batting in the T20 format is a challenging responsibility, as the opening pair sets the game's pace. They laid the groundwork for the next batters to capitalise on.

Even in the IPL auction 2022, it was clear that each franchise was eager to have good backup options for their preferred opening combination. With the IPL 2022 coming in its last week, here's a brief look at which four franchises have the edge over the rest in terms of their IPL 2022 opening line-ups:

KL Rahul and Quinton De Kock

Lucknow Super Giants had their hands on both KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock. They have been consistent and aggressive players in both the IPL and international cricket. In their IPL careers, they both have some impressive achievements and statistics. Let's take a look at their statistics and track records.

KL Rahul is the most lethal opener in the history of the IPL. He became the first player to score more than 600 runs in an IPL edition in the 2020 tournament. Furthermore, with a strike rate of 130.59 and the highest average among openers, he has scored 2828 runs in just 72 matches (49.77). 

Since joining the Mumbai Indians in 2019, Quinton de Kock has been at the top of his game. In that season, the South African wicketkeeper-batsman hit 11 50-plus scores and won the Orange Cap for amassing 529 runs at a strike rate of 130.82. 

Even this year, Kl Rahul and Quinton are performing exceptionally well for Lucknow Super Giants, with Quinton making 140* runs in their very recent match, which was the third-highest score of an individual in the league's history. 

Overall, Quinton has 502 runs in 14 innings with an average of 38.62 and an impressive strike rate of 150, while his partner Rahul has 532 runs so far with a staggering average of 48.82.

Prithvi Shaw and David Warner

Prithvi Shaw and David Warner of the Delhi Capitals are the best opening pair in the IPL 2022. The Delhi Capitals had a fantastic IPL 2020 season, finishing second on the points table before losing in Qualifier 1 to the Mumbai Indians. The team made its first-ever final appearance. They are most likely to qualify if they win their last match against Mumbai Indians.

With David Warner and Prithvi Shaw, Delhi boasts a potent opening combo that remains one of the most dangerous in the IPL. It's difficult for bowlers to adjust because they have diverse batting styles. On the other hand, David Warner was a monster at the top of the order during the IPL 2020. He batted, gathering 548 runs for an average of 39.14 runs per game. 

This season, Warner is again leaving no stone unturned as he has been delivering consistently for Delhi Capitals with 427 runs to his name in 11 innings. The Australian opener has an average of 53, which is the best among those on the list of the contention for orange cap.

On the other hand, Prithvi Shaw was performing well for the Delhi-based franchise before he was unfortunately forced to rest due to typhoid. Shaw made sure to give a fast start to DC; he has a strike rate of 160 in 9 innings with 259 runs as of now.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler

Rajasthan Royals are displaying much more robust performance in IPL 2022 than in the previous two seasons. The batsmen Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Butler are giving a consistent start for RR during the field restrictions.

Last season, Jaiswal demonstrated his true character in the group stage against CSK. Jaiswal smashed CSK bowlers all over the field while chasing 190 runs, scoring a half-century in just 21 balls. As a result, RR handily won the match with 15 balls to spare.

Jaiswal is opening alongside another dangerous batter in the form of Jos Buttler. For the past few years, the 31-year-old batter has been an essential franchise element. Buttler scored 1968 runs at an average of 35.14 before this IPL.

In this IPL, "Jos the boss" has shown why he's called one of the best openers in white-ball format. The English opener already has 627 runs next to his name in just 13 innings so far, including three centuries, and the most impressive factor about his performance is that he has a strike rate of 150. He will likely end with an orange cap this season, as it's been a dream year for him.

Yashasvi is also back in form as he has recently been awarded a man of the match; Jaiswal has 153 runs in 6 innings.

Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad

After failing to secure Faf du Plessis in the super auction, defending champions, Chennai Super Kings are having a new opening combination for the 2019 IPL season. CSK captain MS Dhoni and the team's think tank worked a lot in deciding on their opening pair.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, who won the orange cap last season after scoring 635 runs in 16 innings at an average of over 40, has been opening for the defending champions this year. Devon Conway, a New Zealand sensation who cost the club INR 1 crore, is one of the essential buys for the franchise keeping in mind both the present and its future.

The Kiwi opener has made six appearances so far and has awed everyone as Conway has 236 runs, including three half-centuries.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, on the other hand, has 366 runs in 13 innings, which does not sound that good, but the innings were impactful and helped in giving CSK the start they needed.