Arjun Tendulkar struck hundred on his Ranji Trophy debut – also his maiden first-class appearance – in Goa’s 2022-23 season opener against Rajasthan, at Goa Cricket Association Academy Ground in Porvorim.
The 23-year-old completed the milestone on Day 2 of the game, and with it, emulated his father Sachin, who had recorded a hundred on his Ranji Trophy debut as a 15-year-old for Mumbai against Gujarat in 1988, less than a year away from his maiden Test cap.
Arjun had walked in to bat at No. 7 at the fall of wicketkeeper-batter Eknath Kerkar’s wicket on the first day, with Goa at 201/5 after being put in to bat. He remained unbeaten on 12 by stumps, and batted on with Suyansh Prabhudessai to add 221 for the sixth wicket.
Tendulkar, known primarily for his left-arm seam bowling, scored 120 off 207 with 16 fours and two sixes, while providing support to No.3 Prabhudessai who scored 212 off 416, his maiden first-class hundred.
Goa skipper Darshan Misal was the eighth wicket to fall in the innings – on the final ball of Day 2 – with the hosts finishing 493/8 by stumps.
Arjun had moved to Goa from Mumbai earlier this year in a bid to seek more opportunities, having represented his home team in just two T20s till then.
He had a fine run at the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy 2022, finishing Goa’s second-highest wicket-taker 10 scalps in seven outings while maintaining an impressive economy rate of 5.69. He led the wicket-taking charts for Goa at the Vijay Hazare Trophy later, with seven wickets in eight outings at 32.37 and an economy rate of 4.98.
The player has been a part of the Mumbai Indians setup in the Indian Premier League, but hasn’t got a game yet.
