Arshin Kulkarni surprises everyone, HITS century on List A debut against Punjab in Vijay Hazare Trophy
New Delhi: Maharashtra’s young batter, Arshin Kulkarni, made headlines with a remarkable debut in List A cricket during the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024/25. At just 19 years old, Kulkarni scored an impressive 107 runs in his first outing, leading Maharashtra to a total of 275 in their quarterfinal match against Punjab on January 11 at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara.
Opening the innings alongside captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Kulkarni faced early challenges from Punjab’s Arshdeep Singh, who showcased his bowling skills. However, Kulkarni remained composed, forming a crucial 145-run partnership for the third wicket with Ankit Bawne, which set the foundation for Maharashtra’s innings. His century was completed in the 41st over, showcasing his potential in the domestic circuit.
Kulkarni’s innings was characterized by precision, hitting 14 boundaries without a six in 137 deliveries. Bawne supported him well, contributing 60 runs from 85 balls. Late innings fireworks from Nikhil Naik, who scored 52 off just 29 balls, and Satyajeet Bachhav’s quick 20 runs helped Maharashtra reach a competitive total of 275/6.
On the bowling front, Arshdeep Singh was the standout performer for Punjab, claiming three wickets for 56 runs in his nine overs. His ability to dismiss key players like Gaikwad early in the innings was crucial. Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma maintained an economical bowling figure of 1/42 in his 10 overs, providing stability amidst the runs scored.
In another quarterfinal, Karnataka’s Devdutt Padikkal also shone with the bat, scoring 102 runs off 99 balls, demonstrating the high level of talent emerging in this tournament.