The Best Cricket Openers in the World (2025): Technique, Temperament, and the Art of Beginning Right

Every innings begins with two players and one question: can they set the pace? These days, the role of the opener is more than just surviving the initial onslaught; they have to try to beat the heat, lights, swing, spin, or seam combat. Looking ahead, one can easily speculate that amid 2025’s chaos, cricket’s evolving regions and formats will still see openers as the equilibrium point, balancing safety and risk in a bid to gain control.

The following players have etched their names in history not just for their runs and wickets but for scoring game-changing innings that set the pace for the match. Whether it is the Test rampages inspired by Bazball or the austere T20 chases, there will always be one of these openers who defies whatever label the first batter to step on the pitch receives. Rather than batters, they are starters whose dominant foundation during 2025 will help lay the groundwork if they get it right.

The Openers Who Own the Game in 2025

Here’s a snapshot of the most dominant openers in world cricket right now, based on international performances across formats, IPL/BPL/PSL showings, and sheer influence on their team’s fortunes.

Rank	Player	Country	Formats Mastered	Avg (All Formats)	2024-25 Highlights
1	Usman Khawaja	Australia	Test	47.5	Ashes double ton, NZ tour
2	Rohit Sharma	India	All	44.8	CWC semifinal ton, WTC
3	Zak Crawley	England	Test	41.1	135 vs India at Chennai
4	Imam-ul-Haq	Pakistan	ODI/Test	42.0	SL series match-winner
5	Travis Head	Australia	All	39.7	2023 WC Final, India tour
6	Shubman Gill	India	All	50.2	Double in Windies, T20I 90
7	Devon Conway	New Zealand	Test/T20	42.4	87* in WTC Final
8	Abdullah Shafique	Pakistan	Test	40.8	UAE ton, solid in England
9	Yashasvi Jaiswal	India	Test/T20	38.3	171 vs England, IPL form
10	Tom Latham	New Zealand	Test/ODI	41.5	114 vs Bangladesh

That list has something for every purist and every T20 disciple. What binds these ten together is not just form or flair — it’s temperament. It’s how they soak up pressure when wickets fall around them. Or how they counterpunch when bowlers dare to get too confident.

The Rohit Effect and India’s Opening Riches

You cannot forget Rohit Sharma when discussing modern openers. He has, in a lot of ways, opened up the role of a “2020s opener.” Known for his lazy harrier-esque shots and effortless dominion over the runs, his front-foot pulls and suave balance make him a tormented bowler. Rohit, even in his late 30s, remains India’s most dependable opener.

What sets him apart is his peak performance in ICC tournaments. His campaign for the World Cup and remarkable WTC performance were potent reminders of why he deserves a spot despite the younger lineup. The best part about him is that the pressure he relieves at the beginning of the innings enables players like Kohli or Gill to build off his framework.

His views outweigh duality, so speaking of Gill—India’s pipeline appears enviable. Rohit surely serves as a backbone with Shubman’s textbook elegance paired with Jaiswal’s unorthodox aggression. It feels as though the team has a solid grasp on the post-Rohit era already. The new roster features a bunch of young and fearless players who are quick to adapt, making the future look bright.

England and Australia: Red-Ball Mavericks in White-Ball Worlds

Zak Crawley has always been a divisive figure in England, but 2024 has changed things for him. He received grudging respect from critics after his aggressive 135 on a turning track against India at Chepauk. He plays fast and stays in tune with the rhythm of Bazball.

Khawaja and Travis Head form Australia’s opening pair, and they bring together different ways of batting that somehow complement each other. Khawaja is the most dependable red-ball opener, being patient and methodical. The other part of the duo, Head, is absolute madness dressed in cricket pads. His ton in the 2023 World Cup Final was pure adrenaline. The two have reinvented what it means to open–one plays time, the other plays tempo.

Pakistan’s Recalibration Through Imam and Shafique

While Pakistan’s middle order often faces scrutiny, their openers have quietly built consistency. Imam-ul-Haq, once trolled for nepotism, has earned his stripes. His ODI form is world-class, and his Test game has matured, especially in Asia.

Abdullah Shafique, still young, shows signs of being Pakistan’s long-term red-ball asset. His patience, especially in difficult away conditions, is rare in modern openers. If the management backs him long-term, he might shape into something special — someone between a Saeed Anwar and a Rahul Dravid.

New Zealand’s Dependable Pair: Conway and Latham

New Zealand doesn’t make flashy openers. They make effective ones. Devon Conway has been their find of the decade — a late bloomer who settled into Tests and T20s with ease. His calm innings in the WTC final — 87 not out — was the knock of a craftsman.

Tom Latham continues to be the side’s quiet workhorse. He doesn’t grab headlines, but he holds innings together. His knock against Bangladesh on a difficult green top proved, again, why he’s still vital.

Top Openers in T20 Internationals (2024–25 Rankings)

Not every great opener is red-ball tuned. In T20 cricket, the demands are different: powerplay aggression, quick decision-making, and the ability to attack spin and pace alike.

Rank	Player	Country	T20I Runs (2024–25)	Strike Rate	50s/100s
1	Yashasvi Jaiswal	India	794	153.4	8/1
2	Jos Buttler	England	762	148.2	6/2
3	Travis Head	Australia	699	150.6	5/1
4	Phil Salt	England	654	142.1	5/0
5	Babar Azam	Pakistan	621	132.0	4/1

India’s Jaiswal tops the charts — not just with numbers, but intent. His game feels made for T20s. He comes down the track early. He backs his aerial game. And yet, he rarely feels rushed. England’s Buttler remains the anchor-attacker every team dreams of, and Travis Head continues to adapt with frightening speed.

What Makes a Great Opener in 2025?

It’s no longer just about technique. It’s about timing — of shots, of decisions, of pace management. Today’s openers face more data, more analysis, and more tactical shifts than ever before. Bowlers try to outthink them in the first 10 balls. And in formats like T20, those 10 balls are sometimes all you get.

The best openers now are hybrid thinkers. They’ve got to be part Sehwag, part Dravid, and part Dhoni. They must adapt to conditions, switch gears instantly, and do it all under the microscope. And when they get it right — when that bat meets ball just right — they set matches on fire.

Let’s Wrap Up: The Opening Batsmen’s History

An opener warm-up has its own challenges. You get the grunt work. You take the trophies. Burners come hand in hand, and occasionally, your 30 feels much more gallant than a middle-order 100. But with all the obsession with impact, openers are one of the most fundamental parts of the game.

In 2025, the blend of grit with glitz will be unparalleled. It will range from Rohit Sharma’s calmness to Jaiswal’s aggression, from Khawaja’s extreme patience to Crawley’s extravagant showing. This collection of openers is alarmingly abundant and novel.

Changes in cricket are possible. New Formats will be invented, and old ones will be discarded. Best openers, however, will remain those who step onto the ground first and do everything to ensure the rest can come after.