Rohit-Rahul joins Virat-Dhoni and Babar-Rizwan in this elite list 

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are in splendid form as Team India’s openers. Lokesh Rahul hit 65 off 49 balls as India romped to a seven-wicket win over New Zealand on Friday in the second Twenty20 to clinch the series.

Rahul put on 117 runs off 80 balls with Rohit Sharma as India scored 155-3 in response to New Zealand’s 153-6.

Rahul hit six fours and two sixes as he reached 50 off 39 balls. Sharma scored 55 off 36 balls, including one four and five sixes.

Their sparkling opening partnership paved the way for India’s dominant win at a dew-soaked JSCA International Stadium. The hosts took a 2-0 lead in the three-match contest.

Sharma’s 29th half-century in T20 internationals brought him on par with compatriot Virat Kohli, who is rested from this series. Rahul scored his 16th T20 half-century.

Rahul and Rohit are in the third spot in terms of average as a pair in T20Is.

While Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni head the list, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are second.