Cricket's little master went on a 94-minute run rampage, giving Australia a sneak peak of what to expect this summer.

The Victorian team had to remind itself at one stage it was playing, not spectating, as Indian great Sachin Tendulkar smashed 80 on day one of the tour-opening three-dayer at the MCG.

The only disappointment for the small, but vocal pro-Indian crowd was Test cricket's fifth-highest run scorer did not reach another century.

India was 9-266 at stumps after winning the toss, with Parthiv Patel 52 and Ashish Nehra yet to score.

Tendulkar would not speculate on what lay ahead for him on this four-Test series against Australia, but if this innings was any guide a rich run harvest beckons.

"It was a good outing, I just wanted to be out in the middle and spend some time (batting)," he said.

"I don't know what's in store for me, I just want to go out there and enjoy my cricket.

"I don't want to think about what I have to achieve and put any pressure on myself."

The last time Tendulkar batted at the MCG, he scored 116 in the 1999 Boxing Day Test and said it was a happy return to the ground.

Tendulkar went to lunch on six after half an hour at the crease, biding his time on a slow wicket.

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