They are the most successful opening pairing in ODI cricket this decade.
Together, they form two-thirds of the most devastatingly effective top-order in the 50-over game.
Just over five years after coming together at the top of the Indian lineup, they already boast among the greatest-ever numbers for an opening partnership in the format.
Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, to many, in particular in India, are the ‘Jodi No. 1’ of the 2010s – and days after bringing up yet another milestone, Dhawan has made the tag ‘official’ with a heartfelt post on social media.
“Partners in crime! Jodi no. 1,” said Dhawan in an Instagram post on Wednesday, 30 January, and few can disagree.
The left-handed batsman’s post on Instagram contained two photos of him with his ‘partner in crime’ – one from recent times, and one from their days playing together in the India A setup.
The Dhawan-Sharma combine has not stopped delivering the runs for Team India ever since they were united at the top of the order ahead of the 2013 Champions Trophy, which India won.
The pair recently surpassed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag with their 14th century stand in one day internationals during India’s win in the second ODI of their ongoing five-match series in New Zealand at Mount Maunganui.
Dhawan, 33, and Sharma, 31, head into this summer’s ICC World Cup in England as the pace-setting opening pair in the game, and are one of the major reasons behind India’s tag of favourites for the crown.
Dhawan-Rohit ODI Record
- Innings Played: 96
- Partnership Runs: 4334
- Average: 45.62
- 100+ Stands: 14
- Best: 210
ODI Records Held by Dhawan-Rohit
- Third-most 100+ stands for any Indian pair (behind Tendulkar-Ganguly & Rohit-Kohli
- Fourth-highest tally of partnership runs for any Indian pair
- Fourth-most 100+ stands for any opening pair
- Only the fourth opening pair to have totalled more than 4000 partnership runs
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