When Sachin Tendulkar made his debut in first-class cricket in the Ranji Trophy, which state team did he represent?

Introduction / Context:
Sachin Tendulkar's cricket career is closely associated with both the Indian national team and his domestic side in the Ranji Trophy. Knowing which team he represented when he made his first class debut is a favourite question in cricket general knowledge, because it marks the beginning of one of the most celebrated careers in the sport.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The format is first class cricket in India, specifically the Ranji Trophy.
• The question asks about Sachin Tendulkar's debut team, not his later associations.
• Options include Mumbai, Karnataka, Delhi, Kerala, and Gujarat.
• We assume standard historical records of Indian domestic cricket.

Concept / Approach:
Sachin Tendulkar made his first class debut for Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) in the Ranji Trophy at the age of 15. In that debut match he scored a century, immediately signalling his exceptional talent. Mumbai is one of the most successful teams in Ranji Trophy history and has produced many Indian internationals. Therefore, Mumbai is the correct answer, while the other state teams may have faced him as opponents later in his career.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Sachin Tendulkar is from Mumbai and came through Mumbai's cricket system.Step 2: Remember that he made his Ranji Trophy debut for Bombay (now Mumbai) as a teenager.Step 3: Note that he scored a century on debut, which is often mentioned in biographies.Step 4: Compare this with the answer options: Mumbai, Karnataka, Delhi, Kerala, and Gujarat.Step 5: Select Mumbai as the correct team he represented on Ranji debut.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by considering the domestic structure of Indian cricket. Mumbai has long been a powerhouse and is the natural team for a young Mumbai based prodigy. Match reports from the time emphasise that a 15 year old Sachin Tendulkar scored a hundred on debut for Bombay in the Ranji Trophy, which later became part of his legend. This consistent storytelling confirms that Mumbai was his debut side.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Karnataka and Delhi are strong domestic teams but have their own home grown stars and were not Tendulkar's debut team. Kerala and Gujarat are also Ranji teams but do not match Sachin's birthplace or early coaching background. Although Sachin may have played against these teams many times, he did not make his first class debut for them. Therefore, these options are incorrect for the specific question asked.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may overthink the question and wonder whether Sachin first appeared as a guest player for another side, but standard records clearly show that his debut came for Bombay. Another pitfall is confusing his Ranji debut with his debut in other domestic tournaments or for India in international cricket. Keeping a clear separation between domestic and international milestones prevents such confusion.

Final Answer:
When Sachin Tendulkar made his first class debut in the Ranji Trophy, he played for Mumbai (then called Bombay).