Legendary Indian batsman, Sachin Tendulkar has an impeccable record as an opener in ODIs. He along with Sourav Ganguly was a force to reckons within his career, which spanned over two decades. Though in Test cricket, he mostly batted in the middle order, in ODIs, the Master Blaster will be remembered as one of the best openers. Former Indian wicket-keeper batsman, Ajay Ratra recalled how Sachin sacrificed to bat at number four as Virender Sehwag had to open the batting.

Ratra also reckons that a lot of credit for sending Sehwag to open should go to Tendulkar along with Ganguly, the former Indian captain. He said, “Sachin was doing so well as an opener at that time but Sehwag had to open. So, Sachin offered to bat at No.4. Sehwag then opened with Dada (Sourav Ganguly) for that left and right combination.”

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During a chat with Hindustan Times, he further added, “If Sachin hadn’t agreed then Viru probably would have had to bat lower.  He wouldn’t have got the chance to open in ODIs and the story could have been a lot different.”

In 2001, Ganguly decided to make Sehwag open the innings. He played as an opener for the first time against New Zealand and scored 33 off 54. After some early failures, he smashed a 70-ball century against the Kiwis and never looked backed ever since. 

Sachin batted at number four for the first time back in July 1990 against England at Headingley in Leeds. Then from November 1991 to December 1992, he featured regularly at the number four slot. Then again from May 2002 to January 2003, he had started batting in the middle order.

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At number four, Sachin amassed 2,059 runs in 65 matches at an average of 38.84 with centuries against Kenya, England, and Sri Lanka. He played his last game at no.4 during India’s disastrous campaign in the 2007 World Cup where the men in blue suffered an exit from the tournament just after the first round.