On this day in 1994: Sachin Tendulkar opens the batting for the first time in ODIs

Sachin Tendulkar is considered among the greatest players to ever play the game of cricket. The Indian cricketer amassed over 34000 runs in his 24-year long career. In ODI cricket, Tendulkar scored 18426 runs in 463 games at an average of 44.83. Most of his runs in the 50-over format came while opening the innings. On this day i.e. 27th March back in 1994, Tendulkar opened for the first time in One Day Internationals. He had already displayed his batting skills and his talent had impressed many greats even before he opened for India.

This was the second ODI of India tour of New Zealand in 1994, and Tendulkar was dismissed for just 15 runs in the first match of this series where he batted at number 5. In the second game, Kiwi captain Ken Rutherford won the toss and decided to bat first. The Blackcaps batting line-up failed miserably in the first innings as they were dismissed for just 142 runs in 49.4 overs. For them, Chris Harris scored a fine half-century with 50 runs coming off his bat in 71 balls.

In the bowling department for India, Rajesh Chauhan picked up 3 wickets for 43 runs in his 10 overs. Apart from him, Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath and Salil Ankola took 2 wickets each. For India, Navjot Singh Sidhu was regularly opening the innings before this ODI. However, he had a stiff neck and missed the game. The Indian management promoted young prodigy Sachin Tendulkar at the top of the order in the 143-run chase.

Tendulkar proved the decision right and played an explosive knock of 82 runs in just 49 balls. He smacked 15 fours and 2 sixes in his wonderful innings. Tendulkar and Ajay Jadeja added 61 runs for the opening partnership. India chased down the target in only 23.2 overs winning the match by 7 wickets. For his magnificent knock, Sachin was adjudged as the player of the match.