Openers who were a bowler's nightmare

This post tries to rank top eight openers who the bowlers preferred to keep at the non-strikers’ end. These are players who can change the game on their day. I am not talking of the textbook openers like Gavaskar, I am dealing with the men who avenged with thunder. Here is my countdown to the most threatening openers the game has seen.

8. Brendon McCullum

Strike Rate: 89
Average: 30

Electrifying, exciting  and a brutal opener who dispatches the ball for boundaries all over the park. His IPL knock for Kolkata (153) still stands  undefeated. His only drawback has been his inconsistency. He makes the list edging out Saurav Ganguly and Kaluwitharana, and holds number 8 spot.

7. Tilakratne Dilshan

Strike Rate: 86
Average: 35

The chips and the scoops are not something you relate with an opener. But, Dilshan, an attacking opening choice for Sri-Lanka is ‘cheeky’ and loves to manufacture shots. The 57-ball 96 in T20 World Cup in 2009 was an example of what damage he can do, if let loose. He is at number seven in the ranking.