OTD| Sachin Tendulkar’s career took a massive turn as he opened in ODI Cricket for the first time in 1994

On this day, in 1994, India’s batting master Sachin Tendulkar was given the chance to open the innings for the first time in the ODIs in his international career. Notably, this promotion from the middle-order position to the top-order position was the turning point of his life, as he went on to become the most prolific ODI cricketer in the history of the game.

However, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar went on to open the innings in the fifth match of the ODI series against New Zealand in Auckland, when India’s captain Mohammad Azharuddin urged Sachin Tendulkar to open the innings as regular opening batter Navjot Singh Sidhu wasn’t available for the game owing to stiff neck problems.

Following the same, Sachin Tendulkar went on to score 82 runs from 49 balls and guided India to win the game by 140 runs. Notably, the legendary cricketer made 15310 runs in 344 matches as an opener, while he scored 3116 runs in 119 matches when he batted lower down in the order.

Meanwhile, the great cricketer once revealed his tactic and pragmatic approach to opening the innings. The Master Blaster reveals that he had the power to take up the bowler from the front to set the tone for India. Moreover, the top-order batter says that he wasn’t afraid of losing while being the opening batter, and his fearless approach helped him to become one of the greatest ODI batters who has 49 centuries to his career and stands as the second player to amass such several centuries in ODIs.

“I thought I could go up front and take the opposition bowlers on. But I had to beg and plead to please give me a chance. If I fail, I won’t come after you again. In that first match (against New Zealand at Auckland), I scored 82 off 49 balls, so I didn’t have to ask again if I would get another chance. They were keen for me to open. But what I’m trying to say here is, don’t be afraid of failure,” Sachin Tendulkar said.

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