India’s new T20I captain Smriti Mandhana and vice-captain Shafali Verma have added 4,080 runs together as openers, 50% more than any other pair in women’s T20Is.
On October 6, Smriti was named India’s white-ball captain and Shafali her deputy in T20 Internationals (T20Is). India’s two leaders are also its openers.
When India meets Zimbabwe in Raipur from October 16, they will face the first ball together. Their partnership is already the most productive in the format. Ball-by-ball data for every women’s T20I till October 7 show that in 107 innings since 2019, the two have added 4,080 runs for the first wicket, averaging 39.2 runs per dismissal at 8.34 runs an over.
Australia’s Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney are second with 2,715 runs in 84 innings; the UAE’s Esha Oza and Theertha Satish third with 2,588.
The Indian pair also has 32 stands of 50 or more, 12 more than any other pair, and a shared record six-century stand. The lead is recent: the Indian line steepens from 2025, just as the Australian one stops.
The chart below shows the cumulative opening partnership runs over time for the six most prolific pairs in women’s T20Is. Each step represents a partnership.
Quick and reliable
The chart below compares the 31 opening pairs with at least 20 innings together. A typical pair averages 26 runs per dismissal at under seven an over.
Each circle represents an opening pair with at least 20 innings together. Circle size indicates total runs, while the axes show average runs per dismissal and runs per over. Dashed lines mark the typical pair
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