'Like father, like son': Netizens praise Arjun Tendulkar who emulates father Sachin, scores century on Ranji Trophy debut

Shocked, but not surprised is what fans believe after seeing Arjun Tendulkar record his maiden first-class century in Ranji Trophy on his debut on Wednesday. Doing so, he has emulated his father, Sachin Tendulkar.

The Master Blaster achieved his first first-class century for Mumbai against Gujarat in 1988 when he was 15 years old, on his Ranji Trophy debut.

Thirty-four years later, on Day 2 of Goa's match against Rajasthan at the Goa Cricket Association Academy Ground in Porvorim, his 23-year-old son, whose major position is fast bowler, had gone on to score 112 not out by tea.

Arjun had come out to bat at No. 7 after the fall of wicketkeeper-batter Eknath Kerkar's wicket on the first day of the clash. The score then read 201 for 5 and Arjun closed out the day by remaining unbeaten on four off 12 balls. 

Along with the other overnight batter Suyash Prabhudessai, who also struck a significant hundred, he went on to form an important partnership on Day 2. By tea, Prabhudessai, who remained 172 not out along with Arjun had stitched a 209 runs partnership.

In 140 overs, Goa had amassed 410 for 5 against a Rajasthan team that had players like Aniket Choudhary and Kamlesh Nagarkoti.

Talking about Arjun playing for Goa, the all-rounder had moved from Mumbai at the start of the season in search of more opportunities to play. While with the Mumbai side, he played only two T20s before making the shift.

His time with Goa began in the 2022 Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, when he returned ten wickets in seven appearances with a respectable economy rate of 5.69. He finished behind Lakshay Garg as Goa's second-highest wicket-taker in the competition. This season, Arjun participated in the Vijay Hazare Trophy one-day matches as well. He finished as Goa's top wicket-taker with seven dismissals from eight innings, returning an average of 32.37 and an economy rate of 4.98.