Arjun Tendulkar, son of great cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, made his father proud by scoring a century on his Ranji Trophy debut for Goa. In the process, the 23-year-old emulated his illustrious father, who had also scored a ton on Ranji Trophy debut. Sachin had kickstarted his domestic career with a century against Gujarat in 1988, as a precocious 15-year-old.
Arjun hit 120 off 207 balls on day 2 of Goa’s Ranji Trophy opener against Rajasthan. Batting at No. 7 as a nightwatchman after Goa lost two quick wickets late in the day, Arjun was unbeaten on four off 12 balls overnight. On the next day he turned the match on its head at the Academy ground in Porvorim.
During his 310-minute stay at the crease, he hit 16 boundaries and two impressive sixes.
He stitched a 221-run partnership with the other overnight batter, Suyash Prabhudesai, who hit 212 for his maiden first-class double-ton.
While Arjun’s primary role is still that of a fast bowler, he has occasionally shown glimpses of his batting ability, having scored centuries in under-14 and under-16 selection games. He also has a 91 against Uttar Pradesh in under-19 cricket, but this is the first hundred for Arjun at the first-class level. He is also a part of the Mumbai Indians set-up but has not played a game yet.