5 popular countries that have a different opening combination for T20Is and ODIs

With ODIs and T20Is taking equal prominence, nowadays, teams don't shy away from trying different strategies for the white-ball formats. In the past, though, most teams adopted a similar approach, at least with respect to team building, for both formats. On that note, in this article, we take a look at five popular countries that have different opening combinations for T20Is and ODIs.

The 20-over and 50-over formats require a different strategy when it comes to the openers. While it is important that the openers must be able to play a long innings in ODIs, impact runs and making the best use of the powerplay is the priority in T20s. Therefore, often, we witness teams employing different strategies.

1) India

T20I - Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul || ODI - Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan

India is one of the countries that have different opening combinations for T20Is and ODIs. India had used the Rohit-Dhawan pair for T20Is, too, but after KL Rahul's emergence, Dhawan lost his spot. In ODIs, though, Rohit-Dhawan pair is still the first option, although it has been a while since both have opened together. In T20Is, too, we could see a change in the Rahul-Rohit pairing. In ODIs, too, it may not be a surprise if Gill starts opening alongside Rohit if Dhawan fails to perform.

2) England

T20I - Jos Buttler and Alex Hales/Jonny Bairstow || ODI - Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow/Phil Salt

England is the best white-ball team on the planet. If you take a look at the opening combination, there is not much of a difference. It is only the skipper Jos Buttler who is the difference. While he opens in T20Is, he plays in the middle order in ODIs. Jonny Bairstow is the constant opener in the other two formats and if the likes of Alex Hales and Phil Salt are also getting chances these days. Due to Roy's current form, he could be dropped from ODIs, too, soon. 

3) Pakistan

T20I - Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan || ODI - Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman

Pakistan is also one of the countries that have different opening combinations for T20Is and ODIs. While other nations have at least one common opener between the formats, it is completely different for Pakistan. They use a different duo altogether at the top. It has worked for them and this strategy also strengthens the middle order by having the likes of Babar and Rizwan in the middle order.

4) South Africa

T20I - Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma || ODI - Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan

Quinton de Kock opens the batting in both formats. While Janneman Malan is sure to play in the ODIs, T20Is could have either Temba Bavuma or Reeza Hendricks as QDK's partner, going forward. The likes of Dewald Brevis could also come into the picture soon. 

5) Australia

T20I - David Warner and Aaron Finch || ODI - David Warner and Travis Head

Recently, Australia has also become one of the countries that have different opening combinations for T20Is and ODIs. Since Finch has retired from ODIs, Australia will have a fresh opening combination in the 50-over format. Travis Head is the best option to pair up with Warner. In T20Is, although Finch has not retired, Australia might look at Cameron Green as an option.