Kapil Dev, the former India captain, and the legendary all-rounder, has said that Arjun Tendulkar will always feel a little extra pressure because of the surname he carries. Arjun Tendulkar not getting a single game for Mumbai Indians left many fans disheartened. Arjun Tendulkar, who was picked by MI for ₹30 lakh at the IPL mega auction kept warming the bench the entire IPL 2022 season, despite MI getting eliminated early.
From Hrithik Shokeen to Kumar Kartikeya, most of the youngsters got to represent the franchise, barring Arjun Tendulkar. MI bowling coach Shane Bond shared his thoughts on Arjun Tendulkar not getting a game this season, saying that the 22-year-old still needs to hone his skills.
Kapil Dev Advises Everyone Not To Compare Arjun Tendulkar With Sachin Tendulkar
Weighing in on the topic, former India captain, the legendary Kapil Dev said that Arjun Tendulkar will always feel a little extra pressure because of the surname he carries. The standards set by the great batter Sachin Tendulkar aren’t easy for any modern-day batter to match up to, let alone his son.
Kapil Dev feels Arjun Tendulkar should not be compared to his father and given his age, the youngster should be allowed to play and more importantly, enjoy his game.
“Why is everyone talking about him? Because he is Sachin Tendulkar’s son. Let him play his own cricket and do not compare him with Sachin. To have a Tendulkar name has perks and disadvantages as well.
“Don Bradman’s son changed his name because he could not soak that kind of pressure. He removed the surname Bradman because everyone expected him to turn out like his father,” Kapil said.
Arjun Tendulkar, who has been with the MI squad for two seasons now but is yet to make his IPL debut, is relatively inexperienced. Arjun Tendulkar has featured in only two T20 games for Mumbai in the T20 Mumbai League.
Kapil Dev: If Arjun Tendulkar Becomes Even 50% Like Father Sachin Tendulkar There’s Nothing Better
Although he has often been used as a net bowler with the Indian team and has bowled to the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, even MS Dhoni, and other stars. 1983 World Cup winner Kapil Dev feels Arjun Tendulkar should not have to carry the pressure of expectations and added that if he can be even half the player his father was, he would have done well for himself.
“Don’t put pressure on Arjun. He is a young boy. Who are we to say anything to him when he has the great Sachin as his father? But I would still just like to tell him one thing…
“Go and enjoy yourself. No need to prove anything. If you can become even 50 percent like your father… there is nothing better. When the name Tendulkar comes up, our expectations rise because Sachin was such a great,” mentioned the former India all-rounder.
For the second season in a row, Arjun Tendulkar finished the IPL campaign without playing a single game for the five-time champions. Talking about Mumbai Indians‘ season, they finished the competition at the bottom of the points table. They could manage to win only 4 of their 14 league games.
During the disastrous campaign, they also became the first team in the history of the IPL to lose their first seven and then eight league games. The Rohit Sharma-led side lost their first 8 games of IPL 2022 and was the first team to be eliminated this season.
Sachin Tendulkar called time on his 24-year-long illustrious career in November of 2013 after completing 200 Tests for India, finishing with over 33,000 international runs and 100 centuries.