Opening partnership in T20Is, major problem for Team India since T20 World Cup 2022

Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan have begun the innings more frequently for India in T20Is. Even Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal have opened on rare instances, but the problem persists.
Team India is currently in the middle of a five-match T20I series against the West Indies, behind 1-2 with two matches remaining.

The series' remaining matches are scheduled to be contested in Florida, USA, and the hosts are considered favourites to win both games given their stellar record in the state. India has won their last four T20Is in the United States. But, in the run-up to the T20 World Cup next year, the Men in Blue must address one issue: the opening partnership.

Despite talk of being more aggressive with the bat, India's openers have struggled in every match since the T20 World Cup 2022. Since losing to England in the mega event semi-finals, India has played 11 T20Is, but the opening stand has never surpassed 36 runs. During this time, India tried three different opening partnerships and only twice did they lose the first wicket after 20 runs. The opening stand has been broken before 20 on nine different occasions.

Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant begin the T20I tour in New Zealand, while Shubman Gill joined Kishan for the home series.

Kishan was dropped from the side for the T20I series against Sri Lanka and the West Indies because to low returns. Yashasvi Jaiswal took his spot in the starting lineup, but that didn't affect the team's fortunes at the top.

Since the T20 World Cup last year, India's openers have scored 152 runs in 11 innings at an incredibly low average of 13.81

This is the lowest average among full-member countries, with only Ireland and Afghanistan having higher numbers. With the ODI World Cup approaching, the focus is on the 50-over format, but this issue must be remedied soon.

The Men in Blue will be hoping for early starts in the final two T20Is against the West Indies, while Jaiswal is expected to get more action in the format.

In addition, Gill will be hoping to end his tour on a good note after failing in all formats except for his 86-run knock in the third ODI.

Worst opening average in T20Is since T20 World Cup 2022

Team Average
India 13.81
New Zealand 20.38
Afghanistan 21.87
West Indies 23.66
Ireland 25.81
Pakistan 27.14

Below is the list of India's openers and their partnership runs since T20 World Cup 2022

vs New Zealand away from home

Ishan Kishan-Rishabh Pant - 36 runs

Ishan Kishan-Rishabh Pant 13 runs

Ishan Kishan-Shubman Gill - 27
Ishan Kishan-Shubman Gill - 12
Ishan Kishan-Shubman Gill - 3

vs New Zealand at home

Ishan Kishan-Shubman Gill - 10 runs
Ishan Kishan-Shubman Gill - 17 runs
Ishan Kishan-Shubman Gill - 7 runs

vs West Indies away from home

Ishan Kishan-Shubman Gill - 5 runs
Ishan Kishan-Shubman Gill - 16 runs
Yashasvi Jaiswal-Shubman Gill - 6 runs