Arjun Tendulkar creates history
Arjun Tendulkar created history and achieved a huge milestone. He is now part of the elite list of players to open the batting and bowling in a T20. Arjun etched his name in the record books during the league stage game against Madhya Pradesh.
Arjun has taken over a new role for Goa and he has been opening the innings in T20s. He was also bowling with the new ball in the previous matches but was bowling the second over. He bowled the first over against MP.
He had a memorable day with the ball and scalped three wickets for 36 runs in four overs. He scored 16 off 10 balls. Arjun has scored 70 runs and scalped 8 wickets in five matches.
Sachin Tendulkar was a full-time opener in T20s but he never opened the bowling. The Master Blaster only bowled 93 ball in 96 T20s he played and scalped two wickets.Sachin only played one T20I in his career. He was part of the playing XI in India's first-ever T20I in 2006. In 2010, he became the first Indian to win the Orange Cap. Sachin scored 618 runs in that season.
Stay updated with the latest and breaking news on Times Now. Get latest India News, World News, Business News, Sports News, Viral News and Education News also explore Entertainment News and Lifestyle Tips.### Arjun Tendulkar Etches Name in T20 History: Opens Batting *and* Bowling in Rare Feat Sachin Never Achieved
In a moment that's sparking buzz across cricket circles, Arjun Tendulkar, the 25-year-old son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, has pulled off a unique all-round masterclass in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025. Representing Goa, Arjun became only the second player in Indian domestic T20 history to open both the batting *and* bowling innings in the same match—a milestone his father, the Master Blaster, never crossed in his illustrious career.
#### The Historic Match: Goa vs. Madhya Pradesh
The feat unfolded during Goa's league-stage encounter against Madhya Pradesh on December 4, 2025, at the Goa Cricket Association Academy Ground in Porvorim. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Madhya Pradesh posted a challenging 189/7 in 20 overs, powered by half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (65 off 38) and Rajat Patidar (58 off 32).
- **Arjun's Bowling Heroics**: Thrust into the role of new-ball spearhead for the first time in T20s (he'd previously bowled the second over), Arjun delivered a fiery spell of left-arm pace. He claimed 3 wickets for 36 runs in his quota of 4 overs, dismissing key threats like opener Shubham Sharma (early blow) and middle-order batter Aryan Jha. His figures: 3/36, including a maiden over that swung momentum.
- **Batting Contribution**: Chasing 190, Goa crumbled to 143 all out in 19.1 overs, falling 46 runs short. Arjun, opening alongside Suyash Prabhudessai, provided a brisk start with 16 runs off just 10 balls (2 fours, 1 six) before falling to off-spinner Kumar Kartikeya. Despite the loss, his aggressive intent set an attacking tone.
This dual-opening role marks Arjun as a true all-round utility player, adapting to team needs in the high-octane T20 format.
#### How It Stacks Up Against Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin, widely regarded as the greatest batter of all time, was a quintessential opener across formats but rarely flexed his bowling muscles in the shortest format. In his 96 T20 outings (including IPL and domestic), he bowled just 93 balls—conceding 102 runs for a solitary wicket in one match and another in a club game—never once opening the attack. His T20 focus was on anchoring innings, highlighted by his IPL Orange Cap win in 2010 (618 runs for Mumbai Indians) and a lone T20I for India in 2006 (just 5 balls faced).
Arjun, by contrast, has evolved into a bowling all-rounder since switching from Mumbai to Goa in 2022/23. In 29 T20s, he's snared 35 wickets at an economy of 8.5, while chipping in with 189 runs. This SMAT season alone (5 matches), he's aggregated 70 runs and 8 wickets, underscoring his growing versatility. It's a poignant father-son parallel: Sachin revolutionized opening batting; Arjun is redefining the all-round opener role.
#### Broader Career Snapshot and Reactions
Arjun's journey mirrors his father's early promise but with a left-arm twist. A product of Mumbai's fabled academies, he debuted in T20s for Mumbai in 2020/21 and notched a Ranji century on first-class debut. His stats paint a balanced picture:
- **First-Class**: 22 matches, 48 wickets, 620 runs (1 ton, 2 fifties).
- **List A**: 18 matches, 25 wickets, 102 runs.
- **T20s**: As above, with potential for IPL elevation (he's been on the fringes of Mumbai Indians' squad).
On X, the reaction has been electric, blending admiration for the "nepo-baby" narrative with genuine props for the skill. Posts from outlets like @TimesNow and @dna hailed it as "history in the making," with users quipping, "Sachin opened hearts; Arjun opens both ends! 😂" One viral thread noted: "Rare all-round milestone—Arjun's buzzing the cricket world." Fans are already speculating on an IPL call-up, especially with Goa's campaign heating up.
This isn't just a stat-padding moment; it's Arjun stepping out of the shadow, one over at a time. As Goa eyes a knockout push, watch this space—father's legacy, son's story. What's next for the Tendulkar heir?
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