By the early 1990s, Sachin Tendulkar had already established himself as one of the brightest young stars in world cricket. Having made his international debut in 1989 as a 16-year-old, he quickly gained a reputation for his precocious technique, fearless stroke play, and ability to take on the world’s best bowlers. His performances in Test cricket had been exceptional, but in One Day Internationals (ODIs), he had yet to reach a significant personal milestone—the elusive century.
Despite playing several impactful innings, Tendulkar had to wait almost five years and 78 matches to register his maiden ODI hundred. This statistic baffled many, considering his obvious talent and attacking approach. However, the moment finally arrived on September 9, 1994, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. In the third match of the Singer World Series against Australia, Tendulkar not only scored his first ODI century but also announced his arrival as a dominant force in limited-overs cricket.
A New Role: Opening the Innings
Before 1994, Tendulkar had primarily batted in the middle order in ODIs. While he had played several aggressive knocks, he often didn’t get enough time at the crease to convert his starts into big scores. The decision to promote him to the opening slot, made earlier that year, proved to be a masterstroke. It unleashed a more attacking, authoritative version of Tendulkar—one who could dictate terms from the very first ball.
As India opted to bat first against a formidable Australian bowling attack, Tendulkar and Manoj Prabhakar walked out to open the innings. The conditions in Colombo were humid, the pitch slow, and Australia’s fast bowlers, led by Craig McDermott, were eager to exploit any early movement. Yet, from the very start, there was a sense of control and confidence in Tendulkar’s batting.
A Masterclass in Stroke Play
Tendulkar’s innings was a blend of aggression and elegance. He reached his first fifty in just 43 balls, a blistering pace by the standards of that era. His shot-making was a delight to watch—textbook cover drives, effortless flicks through midwicket, and crisp lofted shots over mid-on. The Australian bowlers, usually disciplined, struggled to contain him.
McDermott, a seasoned pacer, tried to outthink him with short deliveries, but Tendulkar responded with controlled pulls. Glenn McGrath, still in the early years of his career, bowled with accuracy, but Tendulkar countered him with deft placement. Even the spinners found no respite as he used his feet brilliantly to disrupt their rhythm.
The most striking aspect of the innings was how Tendulkar paced it. He started with controlled aggression, dominated the early part of the innings, and then adapted as wickets began to fall at the other end. While Prabhakar provided good support early on, the rest of India’s batting order failed to capitalize.
Lone Warrior Amidst a Collapse
At one stage, India looked set for a total well above 250, but a sudden collapse put them in danger of falling short. The last seven batsmen failed to reach double digits, exposing India’s fragile middle and lower order. Yet, Tendulkar held his composure. He slowed down when necessary, rotated the strike, and ensured India had a fighting total.
His century was brought up with a sense of inevitability, a culmination of years of promise finally materializing into a tangible milestone. He eventually fell for 110 off 130 balls, bowled by McDermott, but by then, he had already done enough to leave an indelible mark on the match. India finished at 246/8, a competitive score given the conditions.
Defending the Target: Prabhakar’s All-Round Brilliance
With the bat, Tendulkar had been the undisputed hero of the innings. But with the ball, it was Prabhakar who stole the show. His clever medium pace and disciplined line troubled the Australian batters. He not only took crucial wickets—including that of Mark Taylor—but also contributed in the field with a fine catch and two crucial run-outs.
Australia’s chase never really gained momentum. Their only substantial partnership came from Mark Waugh and David Boon, who added 67 runs. However, the required run rate kept climbing, and once their stand was broken, the Indian bowlers tightened their grip. Eventually, India secured a comfortable victory, marking a successful day for the team.
Beyond the Match: A Defining Moment in Tendulkar’s Career
For Tendulkar, this century was not just a statistical achievement; it was a defining moment in his career. Until then, he had been regarded as a prodigious talent, a player who had the potential to dominate world cricket. But this innings signified something more—it was the first glimpse of his ability to control an ODI innings, to construct a match-winning knock, and to anchor a batting lineup with unmatched authority.
This century marked the beginning of a phenomenal journey in ODI cricket. From that point onward, Tendulkar would go on to revolutionize the role of an opener in the format. His fearless approach, coupled with technical brilliance, changed the way opening batsmen were expected to play in ODIs. He ended his career with a record 49 ODI centuries, a staggering 18,426 runs, and a total of 100 international centuries—an achievement that remains unparalleled.
A Night to Remember
The match in Colombo was more than just another ODI; it was a night when an era began. It was the night when Sachin Tendulkar transitioned from a promising youngster to a genuine match-winner. It was the night when India found its batting talisman for the decades to come.
Even today, when one looks back at Tendulkar’s illustrious career, this innings holds special significance. Not because it was his highest or most dramatic knock, but because it was the first. The first of many. The first of 100. The first that gave the world a glimpse of a legend in the making.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
