IPL 2026: 3 Most Dangerous Opening Pairs to Watch Out For
The IPL 2026 has arrived, and the fans are really awaiting it. It is the 19th season, and it will bring a lot of fun. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the previous season's winner, will try their best to win the tournament again.
The tournament will begin on the 28th of March, 2026. The first match will take place in Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
There will be a total of 10 teams competing in the tournament. The last match of the tournament will take place on the 31st of May, 2026. The matches will take place across 10 cities in India.
Top 3 Most Dangerous Opening Pairs to Watch in IPL 2026
3. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan (Gujarat Titans)
This pair of Gujarat Titans plays simple and smart cricket. Shubman Gill is a calm and stylish batsman. He looks for gaps and can score runs easily. Sai Sudharsan, the Orange Cap holder of the previous season, is known for occupying the crease and playing long innings. Together, they try to give a good start and avoid early wickets.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Runs | 839 runs |
| Innings | 12 |
| Average | 76.27 |
| 50+ Stands | 7 |
| 100+ Stands | 3 |
| Highest Score | 210 runs |
2. Virat Kohli and Phil Salt (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
This pair is good for RCB, as they have the right mix of experience and aggressive batting. Virat Kohli is a calm player and takes control of the game, whereas Phil Salt is a fast player and starts attacking from the beginning.
The presence of Salt makes it easy for Virat Kohli to settle in. This also takes some pressure off the middle order and gives the team a strong start.
| Metric | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Matches/Innings | 10 |
| Total Runs | 456 |
| 50+ Partnerships | 5 |
| Average | 45.6 (approx) |
| Highest Score | 95 runs (vs KKR) |
1. Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
This opening pair is very dangerous for the opposing team. Abhishek Sharma is a fearless batsman and plays attacking cricket. He attacks the opposing team a lot, especially spinners. Travis Head is also an attacking batsman and scores quickly in Powerplay.
| Season | Innings | Total Runs | Century Stands | Highest Stand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2024 | 15 | 691 | 3 | 167* (vs LSG) |
| IPL 2025 | 14* | 736+ | 2 | 171 (vs PBKS) |
