Top 7 Best Openers in T20Is (2025 Updated Rankings)

T20 has become a format where openers take control of the match before the opposition has a chance to settle in. A good opener not only survives the powerplay but also dominates it. In today’s era, teams need batsmen who can give them a quick start and adapt to any wicket condition in minutes. Power-hitters and fearless stroke-makers have ushered in a new era of openers in the latest ICC T20I batting rankings for 2025.

In this blog, we analyze the top 7 best openers in T20I: the updated rankings for 2025, how they perform, and why they are special in modern cricket.

Top 7 Best Openers in T20Is (2025)

Based on ICC updated T20I batting rankings:

Rank	Player	Country
1	Abhishek Sharma	India
2	Phil Salt	England
3	Pathum Nissanka	Sri Lanka
4	Jos Buttler	England
5	Tilak Varma	India
6	Travis Head	Australia
7	Kusal Perera	Sri Lanka

1. Abhishek Sharma (India)

India’s new T20 superstar, Abhishek Sharma, has risen to the top of the ICC T20I rankings with incredible consistency. Known for his stroke-play in the powerplay, Abhishek combines clean hitting with the ability to dominate both pace and spin.

His fearless approach has given India the kind of aggressive starts it has long needed. Whether it’s fast bowlers in the covers or sweeping spin from the first ball, Abhishek’s intent is clear! Attack from the very first ball.

What sets him apart is not just his strength, but also his clarity. He anticipates bowlers from the outset, plays high-percentage shots, and rarely falters. With a strike rate of no less than 160, he has become an ideal T20 opener for India’s future.

2. Phil Salt (England)

In short, this is England’s philosophy of white-ball cricket: score quickly, score big, and score fearlessly. Phil Salt embodies this philosophy. His explosive T20 performances around the world have made him one of the most dangerous openers in the world.

Salt’s greatest strength is his ability to attack bowlers from both ends of the wicket. He can bat straight, pull powerfully, and cut late behind point with equal ease. Once Salt gets into rhythm, opposing captains can do nothing.

Salt’s aggressive pace and match-winning ability make him one of the most dangerous openers in modern T20 cricket.

3. Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka)

Often underestimated, Pathum Nissanka has quietly become Sri Lanka’s most reliable T20 opener. Unlike most players on this list, his game is based on timing, footwork, and placement rather than brute force. Nissanka brings stability, plays anchor when needed, and also scores quickly in the middle overs. His fine balance between caution and aggression has helped Sri Lanka maintain competitive scores in difficult conditions. Improved confidence and technique have helped Nissanka become one of Asia’s best T20 openers.

4. Jos Buttler (England)

One of the greatest T20 batsmen of all time, Jos Buttler remains a legend in limited-overs cricket. Despite the emergence of new players, Buttler’s class, composure, and match-winning skills keep him firmly in the top rankings.

Buttler is a complete T20 opener!

• Hit 360 Degrees
• Calm under pressure
• World-class against spin
• Deadly in the death overs

His ability to switch gears from steady starter to unstoppable finisher and makes him one of the most valuable T20 players in the world.

5. Tilak Varma (India)

India’s rising star Tilak Varma has broken into the rankings on the back of impressive T20I performances. Tilak is dynamic and explosive, technically sound, and fearless—a rare combination for an opening batsman.

His composure under pressure is unmatched for his age. He is adept at rotating the strike, correcting mistakes, and tackling the spin-heavy middle overs.

Tilak’s emergence as an opening batsman provides India with depth, balance, and a long-term solution in the T20 format.

6. Travis Head (Australia)

If there were a mascot for aggression in cricket, it would be Travis Head. After tremendous success in the white-ball format, Head has carried his ODI and Test form into T20 cricket and has become one of the most explosive openers of 2025.

Head possesses a natural aggression when batting. With his fearless mindset and strike range, he can dismantle any bowling attack. Even in pressure matches, he swings freely and uses his instincts, making him a nightmare for bowlers.

7. Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka)

Another name in the top seven is Sri Lankan veteran Kusal Perera, who has the ability to provide explosive starts and play impressive innings.

His left-handedness, natural talent, and ability to counter fast and spin bowling make him a valuable asset in T20 cricket. Even after years, he hasn’t lost his momentum; his performances have been so good that Sri Lanka remains competitive in major tournaments.

Why These 7 Openers Are Dominating T20 Cricket?

The modern T20 opener needs to:

• Attack early
• rotate strike
• Adapt quickly to
• Create pressure
• Achieve and maintain high strike rates

All seven players listed above excel in these areas. They shape the course of the match from ball one and give their teams winning starts consistently. Their dominance reflects the evolution of T20 cricket, where boldness beats caution.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What makes a great T20I opener in modern cricket?

The modern-day T20 opener needs to bring these two factors together-aggression and intelligence. Teams today seek openers who can score 30-40 runs within the first few overs and set the tone.

2. Why is Abhishek Sharma ranked No.1 in the world?

Abhishek Sharma’s performances this year, 2024-2025, have been outstanding. His ability to consistently score fast runs and dominate both spin and pace has pushed him to the top of ICC rankings. His strike rate, and match-changing innings have made him India’s most valuable T20 opener today.

3. Is Jos Buttler past his prime?

Absolutely not. Jos Buttler is one of the most dangerous T20 openers in the world. Though younger openers have raced ahead in the ranking charts. Buttler’s experience, adaptability, and composure keep him in the elite list.

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