'The knock came against bowlers who have played for India A' - Subroto Banerjee lauds Arjun Tendulkar for century on Ranji debut

Arjun Tendulkar scored a century on his first-class debut for Goa to emulate his legendary father Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday (December 14). He repeated his father's heroics after 34 years as Sachin, at the age of 15, scored unbeaten 100 runs on his Ranji Trophy debut for Mumbai in 1988.

After impressive performances in domestic white-ball tournaments, Arjun scored 120 runs off 207 balls in the first innings against Rajasthan in Goa's first Ranji Trophy match of this season at Goa Cricket Association Academy Ground in Porvorim. 

I expected Arjun to score the runs in Ranji Trophy but wasn’t expecting a hundred on debut: Subroto Banerjee

Subroto Banerjee, the former Indian cricketer and a mentor for Arjun, praised him on his maiden Ranji Trophy hundred. Notably, Arjun was the joint-leading wicket-taker for Goa in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022 and the second-highest wicket-taker in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022.

The youngster did not get enough chances to show his skills with the bat in both tournaments but Banerjee stated that he was aware of Arjun's all-round skills and expected him to score runs in Ranji Trophy.

“I always knew he had the skills with the bat and the ability to hit the big shots consistently. After his performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, I expected him to score the runs in Ranji Trophy but wasn’t expecting a hundred on debut,” Subroto Banerjee told News18.

Banerjee also pointed out that Arjun's knock came against a big team like Rajasthan, a quality bowling unit with the likes of Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Mahipal Lomror and Aniket Choudhary.

“What is pleasing to me is that the knock has come against a good team, with bowlers who have played for India A, play in the IPL and the team has also won Ranji Trophy. It hasn’t come against a Mizoram or a Meghalaya side. He has scored the runs against a good team with a good line-up,” Banerjee added.