13 performances that gave Sachin Tendulkar 'The God of Cricket' status (Pre-2000)

First ODI Innings as Opening Batsman vs New Zealand - 1994

Sachin scored a blistering 82 off just 49 balls in his first ever innings as an opener for India.

This performance came amid a rare overseas tour during the 90's, as India did not lose either of the Test or one-day series. In the second match of the ODI series against New Zealand in March 1994, India bowled the host team out for 142.

India's captain Mohammed Azharuddin asked Sachin to open the innings and he obliged. He did not discriminate between the opposition bowlers and attacked one and all.

His childhood friend Vinod Kambli - an attacking player himself - was having the time of his life watching all the entertainment from the other side of the pitch. A maiden ODI century was within sight, but Sachin closed the face of the bat trying to flick a slow left armer from Matthew Hart. Playing against the spin, the ball took the leading edge of the bat - resulting in an easy caught and bowled.

Sachin got out after scoring 82 off 49 balls. Though it wasn't his most challenging innings, it was crucial as he became the mainstay opening batsman for the next eighteen years of his ODI career.

He scored his maiden ODI hundred against Australia later that year, and has scored most of his 49 one-day hundreds opening the innings for India. His opening partnership with Sourav Ganguly is the most prolific and arguably the best in ODI history.