IPL 2024: Ranking and Rating of All 10 Teams Best Openers

RCB, the standout as we look at the ranking and rating of the best openers of all 10 teams for IPL 2024.

If there is one category of players that plays a huge role in a team’s success, it is the openers. Take any edition of the Indian premier league, and you would mostly see openers among the top 10 run-getters in the tournament. While quality players definitely standout, the fact that, openers play the maximum number of balls makes a huge difference too.

Talking about the best openers in IPL 2024, every team has invested hugely in the openers, and as a result, none of the teams are devoid of quality in their opening combination. But with so many openers available, which team has the best set of openers for IPL 2024? Well, how about we revisit all the openers that are present in the team, and look at their ranking basis our unique and unbiased methodology?

Methodology:

• Openers are classified as two first-choice good openers and backup openers
• All openers are relatively rated on a scale of 10 against the benchmark opener, basis their T20 performance in the last three years

Benchmark Opener for IPL 2024: Virat Kohli (KL Rahul to play as Middle-order batter)

#10: SRH Openers Ranking for IPL 2024 – 8.33

At number 10, we have the SRH openers with an openers rating of 8.33 for IPL 2024. SRH have Travis Head and Mayank Agarwal as their first-choice and best openers, who have a rating of 8.75 and 8 respectively. In addition, SRH have a decent bunch of backup openers in the form of Abhishek Sharma and Anompreet Singh. Overall, SRH are missing a stable opener, and their best one, Travis Head is untested in IPL. 

IPL 2024 Best Openers List for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH):

Primary Openers: Travis Head & Mayank Agarwal

Backup Openers: Abhishek Sharma & Anmolpreet Singh

#9: GT Openers Ranking for IPL 2024 – 8.37

At number 9, we have the GT team with an openers rating of 8.37 for IPL 2024. GT have IPL 2023’s leading run-scorer Shubman Gill as their best opener with a rating of 9.75. However, aside from Gill, there’s only Wriddhiman Saha as their best option to open. If not for Saha, GT will have to rely on Matthew Wade, who generally plays as a finisher. But overall, there’s a lack of quality in the second and third openers. 

IPL 2024 Best Openers List for Gujarat Titans (GT):

Primary Openers: Shubman Gill & Wriddhiman Saha

Backup Openers: Matthew Wade

#8: KKR Openers Ranking for IPL 2024 – 8.38

At number 8, we have the KKR team with an openers rating of 8.38 for IPL 2024. KKR have an attacking overseas opening combination of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Jason Roy. While there’s intent, they lack consistency, and thus have a rating of 8.25 and 8.5 respectively. In terms of backups, Venkatesh Iyer is a good option, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi is more of a decent option. 

IPL 2024 Best Openers List for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):

Primary Openers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz & Jason Roy

Backup Openers: Venkatesh Iyer & Angkrish Raghuvanshi

#7: DC Openers Ranking for IPL 2024 – 8.44

At number 7, we have the Delhi Capitals team with an openers rating of 8.44 for IPL 2024. Delhi Capitals have a solid opener in the form of David Warner, who has a rating of 9.5. But barring Warner, Shaw is a good option, but has been out of form off-late. Other than these two, the Delhi Capitals have two good backup options in the form of Shai Hope and Mitchell Marsh. 

IPL 2024 Best Openers List for Delhi Capitals (DC):

Primary Openers: David Warner & Prithvi Shaw

Backup Openers: Shai Hope & Mitchell Marsh

#6: PBKS Openers Ranking for IPL 2024 – 8.53

At number 6, we have the PBKS team with an openers rating of 8.53 for IPL 2024. Punjab Kings have two solid openers in the form of Shikhar Dhawan (8.75) and Jonny Bairstow (8.5). But that’s about it for PBKS as they don’t have any other good backup as they would have liked, and they have to rely on Prabsimran Singh and Atharva Taide for that role. 

IPL 2024 Best Openers List for Punjab Kings (PBKS):

Primary Openers: Shikhar Dhawan & Jonny Bairstow 

Backup Openers: Prabsimran Singh & Atharva Taide

#5: LSG Openers Ranking for IPL 2024 – 8.67

At number 5, we have the LSG team with an openers rating of 8.67 for IPL 2024. LSG currently have Quinton de Kock and Devdutt Padikkal as their top 2 openers for IPL 2024 with a rating of 8 and 9 respectively. Had KL Rahul been there, it would have taken LSG to the top 3. But with KL Rahul’s desire to play in the middle-order, things become interesting for LSG.

IPL 2024 Best Openers List for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG):

Primary Openers: Quinton de Kock & Devdutt Padikkal

Backup Openers: Kyle Mayers & KL Rahul

#4: RR Openers Ranking for IPL 2024 – 8.67

At number 4, we have the RR team with an openers rating of 8.67 for IPL 2024. Rajasthan Royals have a similar rating as LSG, but their top 2 openers, Jos Buttler with 9.25 and Yashasvi Jaiswal with 8.75 make them a slightly better opening attack. Other than these two, RR only have Kunal Rathore as a backup opener, and Sanju Samson as a backup opener.

IPL 2024 Best Openers List for Rajasthan Royals (RR):

Primary Openers: Jos Buttler & Yashasvi Jaiswal 

Backup Openers: Kunal Rahore & Sanju Samson

#3: CSK Openers Ranking for IPL 2024 – 8.81

At number 3, we have the CSK team with an openers rating of 8.81 for IPL 2024. CSK have a stable opening pair in the form of Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad. While Devon has a rating of 9.5, Ruturaj has a rating of 9.25. With these two almost confirmed to open, CSK can also rely on Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane for the opening role. 

IPL 2024 Best Openers List for Chennai Super Kings (CSK):

Primary Openers: Devon Conway & Ruturaj Gaikwad

Backup Openers: Rachin Ravindra & Ajinkya Rahane

#2: MI Openers Ranking for IPL 2024 – 8.83

At number 2, we have the Mumbai Indians team with an openers rating of 8.83 for IPL 2024. Much like CSK, Mumbai Indians have a stable and slightly aggressive opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan. While there is no designated opener other than these two, the presence of so many batters means, they can always play Dewald Brevis or Suryakumar Yadav as openers.

IPL 2024 Best Openers List for Mumbai Indians (MI):

Primary Openers: Rohit Sharma & Ishan Kishan

Backup Openers: Dewald Brevis & Suryakumar Yadav

#1: RCB Openers Ranking for IPL 2024 – 9.06

Finally, at numero uno, we have the RCB team with an openers rating of 9.06 for IPL 2024. With Virat Kohli mostly planning to play as an opener, RCB have the best opening pair in the competition in the form of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis. Both are among the top 5 openers in the competition, and what’s more, the RCB team has Will Jacks and Anuj Rawat as solid backup openers. 

IPL 2024 Best Openers List for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB):

Primary Openers: Virat Kohli & Faf du Plessis

Backup Openers: Will Jacks & Anuj Rawat

Thanks for reading! What’s your take on IPL 2024 openers ranking for all 10 teams? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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