The 2013 Champions Trophy stands as the most recent significant ODI title secured by India, with a key factor contributing to the team's triumph being the formation of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan as the primary opening partnership. This duo has since evolved into one of the most successful opening pairs in the annals of ODI cricket.

Suresh Raina, a vital member of the victorious squad, described the decision to pair Sharma and Dhawan as a "masterstroke" by the management. He remarked, "Observe their batting technique—they prioritized timing over aggressive shots. They launched attacks only when the ball warranted it. Rohit Sharma possesses exceptional technical skills, patiently wearing down the bowlers before increasing the scoring tempo. Meanwhile, Shikhar Dhawan would step out and challenge the bowlers," he stated during an appearance on Star Sports.

"The left-right combination consistently poses challenges for bowlers, and Shikhar's aggressive style complemented Rohit's ability to hit sixes at will. Their run rate frequently hovered around 8 or 9. They effortlessly cleared the boundaries, with a 100-run partnership swiftly escalating to 150 runs. One of them was always eager to reach a century. Their synergy was remarkable—they had complete trust in each other's calls and spent considerable time together."

Between 2013 and 2022, Dhawan and Rohit opened for India in 115 ODIs, amassing a total of 5148 runs at an average of 45.55, with their opening partnerships surpassing the 100-run mark on 18 occasions. Only the West Indies' Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes (5150 runs), Australia's Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden (5327 runs), and India's Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly (6609 runs) have achieved greater run totals as an opening pair.

'Rohit worked incredibly hard on improving his batting'

Dhawan was already established as an opener, while the tournament represented Rohit's initial venture into that position. Before this, Rohit experienced a somewhat inconsistent international career and was overlooked for a place in the 2011 World Cup. Raina remarked, "His ability to time the ball was remarkable. He dedicated significant effort to enhancing his batting skills, engaging in extensive discussions with Duncan (Fletcher) and developing a strong relationship with MS (Dhoni). Major tournaments tend to elevate players, as they are competing for significant accolades. Although he was not selected for the 2011 World Cup, by 2013, he seized the opportunity to secure the opening role, which he continues to occupy."

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