Arjun Tendulkar slammed a century for Goa against Rajasthan on his First-Class debut at the Goa Cricket Association Academy Ground, Porvorim, on Wednesday (December 14).

Arjun, who moved from Mumbai to Goa in search of opportunity, came out to bat at No. 7 and emulated his father Sachin Tendulkar’s feat to score a ton on First-Class debut.

At the age of 15, Sachin smashed a hundred while playing for Mumbai against Gujarat at the Wankhede Stadium in 1988.

After winning the toss, Rajasthan invited Goa to bat first. At the close of play on Day 1, Goa scored 210/5 with Suyash Prabhudessai and Arjun Tendulkar unbeaten at the crease on 81* and 4*, respectively.

On Day 2, Prabhudessai returned with 212 off 416 balls while Arjun went on to score 120 off 207 balls. His knock was studded with 16 fours and two sixes.

"I always had belief in my ability, and I knew that if I am set, I could get the big runs. I just had to play the first hour out and then capitalise," Arjun Tendulkar told TOI after the day’s play.

The left-hander was involved in a 221-run partnership with Suyash Prabhudessai.

"When I first walked out, I had to face most of the balls because Suyash was playing on 80 and my job was to protect him. Today it was just the basics-give the first hour to the bowler. The new ball in the morning gives a little bit (advantage to the bowlers). After we saw out the initial phase, it was time to capitalise and get runs," he added.

With this knock, Arjun Tendulkar became the second batter after Sumiran Amonkar to score a century on First-Class debut for Goa.

Thanks to his and Prabhudessai’s exploits with the bat, Goa finished day two on 493 for 8.

(With TOI inputs)