Arjun Tendulkar to leave Mumbai for Goa

Arjun Tendulkar, the son of legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, is set to leave Mumbai and play pre-season games for Goa. He has submitted an application to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) for a No-Objection Certificate (NOC).

Tendulkar played two unofficial Tests for India U-19 against Sri Lanka three summers ago. He was named to Mumbai's white ball squad for the domestic season earlier this year.

He played two senior matches for Mumbai Indians in the 2020-21 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy against Haryana and Puducherry, after which he became eligible for the Indian Premier League auction. The 22-year-old has competed in the IPL for the past two years.

“Getting maximum game time on the ground is important for Arjun at this juncture of his career. We believe that the shift will improve the probability of Arjun featuring in more competitive matches. He is embarking on a new phase of his cricketing career,” SRT Sports Management said in a statement.

Tendulkar was part of Mumbai Indians' developmental squad that played several T20 games in England, along with Kumar Kartikeya, Anmolpreet Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Dewald Brevis.

Tendulkar was dropped from the Mumbai squad this season without a chance to prove his worth. His father had warned him that such difficulties would occur in his journey.

"And my conversation with Arjun has always been that the path is going to be challenging, it is going to be difficult,” said Sachin, who collected numerous world records throughout his career.

“You started playing cricket because you are in love with cricket. Continue to do so, continue to work hard, and results will follow."

The senior Tendulkar last played for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy in 2014. In 38 games, he recorded 18 centuries and 19 half-centuries for an average of more than 85. The former India captain now serves as a mentor on Mumbai Indians' support staff.

Goa invites Arjun

Goa Cricket Association (GCA) president Suraj Lotlikar confirmed that the left-arm fast bowler would be considered for the state's white-ball trial matches.

“We have been looking out for left-hand bowling talent as also add players to the middle order with multiple skills. In this context, we invited Arjun Tendulkar to join the Goa side,” he said.

“We will be playing pre-season trial matches (white ball) and he will be playing in those games. The selectors will then take a call based on his performance."

Former India captain Mohammed Asaduddin, the son of Mohammed Azahrauddin, joined the team briefly during the 2018 season.

Ranji Trophy 2022-2023

The new Ranji Trophy season of 2022-23 will begin on December 13 and last until February 20, 2023. The return of a full-fledged Ranji Trophy was formalized at the BCCI's Apex Council meeting in Mumbai.

According to the new Ranji Trophy format, teams finishing first in the Plate Group will not be able to compete against a team from the Elite Group in the pre-quarter-finals, as was previously the case.

Starting next year, all six Plate Group teams will compete against each other, with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals and the bottom two teams battling for fifth or sixth place.