Well, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 has just kicked off, and it's already throwing some major curveballs. In a move that nobody saw coming, Arjun Tendulkar, son of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and known primarily for his left-arm pace bowling, walked out to open the innings for Goa. It happened in their opening match against Uttar Pradesh at the Jadavpur University Campus ground in Kolkata, and let me tell you, it stunned pretty much everyone watching.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Arjun Tendulkar surprised everyone by opening the batting for Goa in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025.
- ✓ He played a quick-fire knock of 28 runs off just 22 balls, hitting four boundaries.
- ✓ Teammate Abhinav Tejrana smashed a brilliant 72 off 35 balls, helping Goa post 172/9.
- ✓ Arjun was recently traded from Mumbai Indians to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for Rs 30 lakh for IPL 2026.
- ✓ In another key match, Delhi, led by Nitish Rana, will face Ishan Kishan's Jharkhand in Ahmedabad.
A Bold New Beginning at the Top
You could feel the buzz as Arjun took his guard. This wasn't just a gimmick; he looked like he belonged there. He approached the new role with a bold, fearless attitude, showing off some seriously clean hitting. It was a clear statement of intent right from the get-go, putting the Uttar Pradesh bowlers under immediate pressure.
His innings, while short, was incredibly impactful. Arjun blasted 28 runs from just 22 deliveries, a knock that included four crisp boundaries. He was playing with a confidence that suggested this move was more than just a one-off experiment. His strike rate of over 127 shows he wasn't just there to see off the new ball; he was there to dominate it.
He opened the batting alongside Ishaan Gadekar, who also got off to a quick start before being bowled by the experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 16. With Gadekar gone, Arjun didn't buckle. Instead, he found a fantastic partner in Abhinav Tejrana, and the two of them really took the game to the opposition.
The Partnership That Set the Tone
Together, Arjun and Abhinav stitched together a crucial 55-run partnership for the second wicket. This stand gave Goa a fantastic foundation during the powerplay overs. Arjun showed surprising ease in this unfamiliar role, mixing powerful, attacking strokes with smart shot selection. It was a glimpse into a new dimension of his game.
His fiery innings finally came to an end in the 8th over, when he was dismissed by UP pacer Shivam Mavi. At that point, Goa was sitting comfortably at 75 for 2 in just 7.3 overs. Though his time at the crease was over, Arjun had done his job perfectly, setting a blistering pace for the rest of the innings.
How the Rest of the Innings Unfolded
After Arjun's departure, the star of the show was undoubtedly Abhinav Tejrana. He played an absolute blinder of an innings, smashing 72 runs off a mere 35 balls. His knock was filled with powerful sixes and fours, completely taking the game away from Uttar Pradesh for a large chunk of the middle overs. It was a brilliant display of T20 batting.
Despite Abhinav's heroics, Goa's middle and lower order struggled to keep the momentum going. However, some valuable late-innings contributions from Vikash Kanwar Singh (21*) and Rajashekhar Harikant (12) helped push the team to a competitive total. Goa finished their 20 overs at 172 for 9, a solid score on any ground.
For Uttar Pradesh, the bowlers did well to pull things back in the final overs. Shivam Mavi was the pick of the bunch, finishing with three crucial wickets. The veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar also showed his class, picking up two wickets, while Sunil Kumar, Vipraj Nigam, and Prashant Veer chipped in with one wicket each.
A New Chapter for Arjun's Career
This performance couldn't have come at a more interesting time for Arjun. His IPL journey recently took a significant turn when he was traded from the Mumbai Indians to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a sum of Rs 30 lakh. This move comes just before the IPL 2026 mini-auction, signaling a fresh start for the young all-rounder.
After a few seasons with Mumbai, this shift to a new environment at LSG is expected to provide him with more opportunities to grow and showcase his skills. At Lucknow, he'll be playing under the captaincy of Rishabh Pant in the IPL 2026 season. A performance like this at the top of the order will surely give him, and his new franchise, a huge boost of confidence.
Looking at the Numbers
His career has been a story of steady growth. In 24 T20 matches so far, he has scored 119 runs and taken 27 wickets. His first-class record is even more impressive, with 620 runs, including one century and two fifties, to go along with 48 wickets in 22 matches. This new, aggressive batting role could be the key to unlocking his full potential as a game-changing all-rounder.
Elsewhere in the Tournament: A Clash of Titans
While Arjun was making headlines in Kolkata, another massive game is brewing in Group D of the tournament. The action is shifting to Ahmedabad, where Delhi is set to take on Jharkhand in what promises to be an electrifying contest. The match is scheduled for November 26 and will kick off at 4:30 PM IST.
The Delhi squad will be led by the experienced Nitish Rana, with Ayush Badoni playing as a specialist batter. They'll be hungry for a win, especially after narrowly missing out on the final last season when they lost to Madhya Pradesh in the semis. They're determined to start this new season on a high note.
Facing them is a formidable Jharkhand side, captained by the explosive wicketkeeper-batsman, Ishan Kishan. Ishan has been in scintillating form in white-ball cricket and has amassed over 5270 runs in his T20 career at an incredible strike rate of 134.20. Fun fact: Jharkhand actually defeated Delhi in their last meeting, so Delhi will be out for revenge this time around.
Where to Watch the Delhi vs Jharkhand Showdown
For all the cricket fans eager to catch this nail-biting contest, you're in luck. The game will be played at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium Ground 'A', Motera, Ahmedabad. You can catch the live stream of the Delhi vs Jharkhand match on the JioHotstar app.
If you prefer watching on the big screen, you can tune into the Star Sports Network for the live broadcast. With both teams stacked with top players, it’s bound to be a thrilling encounter as they battle for crucial points in the league table.
Conclusion
What a start to the domestic season! The decision to send Arjun Tendulkar to open the batting was a masterstroke by Goa, and his confident performance has set the tournament buzzing. It's a huge step in his evolution as a cricketer, especially as he prepares for a fresh start with LSG in the IPL. The big question now is whether Goa will continue with this exciting experiment in their upcoming matches.
At the same time, the clash between heavyweights Delhi and Jharkhand adds another layer of excitement. With star players like Nitish Rana and Ishan Kishan leading their sides, the competition is fierce. One thing is for sure: the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 is already delivering on its promise of drama, surprises, and high-quality cricket.
