Arjun Tendulkar, son of legendary batsman Sachin, is set to follow in his famous father’s footsteps by playing for India after he was selected in the Under-19 squad for their tour of Sri Lanka.
Although he will be donning the national jersey for the first time, he is no stranger to the Indian set-up having practised in the nets with senior players when his father was part of the squad.
Here are some interesting facts about the 18-year-old:
LEFT-ARM PACE BOWLER
Arjun represented Mumbai at Under-14, U-16 and U-19 level and comes into the India team on the back of an impressive 2017-18 season, picking up 19 wickets including two five-wicket hauls in the Cooch Behar Trophy. His talents and ability to clock over 135kmph saw him get called up to the MCC squad last July. In one of his two matches against Namibia, he claimed four wickets.
DISMISSED BRIAN LARA
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram was impressed by what he saw during a 30-minute session with the-then 15-year-old during the 2015 IPL. “I’ve met Arjun before in an exhibition game in England last summer,” said Akram. “He was bowling and I was fielding at mid-on and I think he got Brian Lara out in that game. He’s a left arm fast bowler like me. He was asking me about his action. I talked to him about swing, fitness and like his dad, he seems to be very particular about fitness.”
IDOLISES BEN STOKES AND MITCHELL STARC
The youngster does not idolise his father or any of his international team-mates. In fact, during his interview with Australia-based ABC News in January, that honour went to Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc and England all-rounder Ben Stokes.
For Sachin, he passes on his knowledge but not on a regular basis. “He has to have freedom to express himself. I can guide him,” he was quoted as saying in 2016. “Not on a regular basis, but when I feel that he needs to be told something, then I do. I don’t take his class every evening when he comes back home. I do not want to lecture, but let him enjoy the game and fall in love with cricket, which he is (doing). I have told him things about hard work like any father would.
“Unfortunately, he has the excess baggage of his surname and I know that is going to be there. It is not easy for him. For me, it was different as my father was a writer and nobody questioned me on cricket. I feel that my son should not be compared to me and should be judged for who he is.”
One of his idols: Ben Stokes
TRAINING WITH THE BEST
Arjun is no stranger when it comes to bowling to Indian internationals when they play in Mumbai. He has bowled to Virat Kohli at the Wankhede, while he also gave England’s Jonny Bairstow an injury scare with his yorker. As a regular visitor to Lord’s, he also bowled to the Indian women’s team ahead of their World Cup final to England last year.
IMPRESSIVE SHOWING IN AUSTRALIA
Playing in a T20 inter-club match in January at Sydney’s Bradman Oval, Arjun took four wickets and scored 48 runs off 27 deliveries, earning the praise of Australian media. He was even more pleased considering it came on a ground named after the great Sir Donald Bradman. “I’m just so privileged to play on the ground named after the Bradman, it’s unbelievable,” he said.
