On this day 26 years ago: Sachin Tendulkar opens the innings to mark new era in Indian cricket
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar is one of the greatest players ever to play the game. Tendulkar's achievements took the game to another level in the '90s and in the following decade.
On Friday, BCCI took to Twitter to share a throwback picture of Tendulkar from 1994. Exactly, 26 years ago today, Tendulkar first opened the batting for Team India. The Master Blaster went on to score tons of runs as an opener and the journey started against New Zealand in 1994.
It was the second ODI of the series and Indian bowlers restricted the Kiwis for just 142. Chasing a moderate target, Tendulkar opened the innings alongside Ajay Jadeja and slammed 82 off just 49 balls. His innings was laced with 15 boundaries and 2 sixes.
Tendulkar's carnage guided India to a comprehensive 7-wicket win over New Zealand and he was awarded the Man of the Match award. The Little Master represented India in 463 ODIs and scored 18,426 runs at an average of 44.8 and a strike rate of 86.2. He scored 49 One-day International hundreds in his illustrious career. Tendulkar still holds the record of most runs and centuries in ODI cricket.
Earlier, Tendulkar on Friday donated Rs 50 lakh to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which has so far claimed 17 Indian lives and wreaked havoc globally.
Tendulkar's donation is so far the biggest contribution among India's leading sportspersons, some of whom have pledged their salaries while a few others have donated medical equipment to fight the dreaded outbreak, which has caused more than 24,000 deaths globally.
