Arjun Tendulkar the son of Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar was bought in the IPL Auction 2021 by the Mumbai Indians for the base price of INR 20 lakh. After he was picked, sister Sara Tendulkar was quick to congratulate Arjun. Sara, on her Instagram story, wrote, “Nobody can take this achievement away from you. It is yours.”
In January, Arjun made his debut for Mumbai in the 2021 edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy where he played the last two league matches. Arjun failed to put his mark as he picked only 2 wickets in the tournament. Back in 2018, he made his U19 debut but didn’t play in the 2020 World Cup in South Africa.
Unlike his father, fast-bowling has been Arjun’s priority. Arjun had been playing for Mumbai at the U-19 level and other age-group competitions. He was part of the Mumbai T20 league which was played in 2019. Arjun also made his India Under-19 debut in 2018 when he toured with the side for a two-match Youth Test series against the Sri Lanka Under-19 team.
Mahela Jayawardene and Zaheer Khan lauds Arjun
Mahela Jayawardene, the head coach of the franchise lauded Arjun and his skills. “We’ve looked at it purely on a skill basis. I mean, there is going to be a big tag on his head because of Sachin. But, luckily, he’s a bowler, not a batsman. So, I think Sachin will be very proud if he could bowl like Arjun,” Jayawardene was quoted as saying.
“I think it’s going to be a learning process for Arjun. He just started playing for Mumbai, and now the franchise. He will learn the ropes; he will evolve. He’s still young. A very focused young man. We have to give him time and hopefully not put a lot of pressure on him either. Just let him evolve and work his way up, and that’s what we’re there to help him to do,” he stated.
Zaheer Khan, MI’s director of cricket operations said “He was part of this squad when we went to Abu Dhabi last IPL. So he has spent enough time with us.”
