Sachin Tendulkar is the mentor of Mumbai Indians (MI), while his son, Arjun Tendulkar plays for his side as a left-arm seamer. The father-son duo was seen discussing before Jr. Tendulkar made his debut a few days before against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). However, in a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 18, Arjun defended 20 runs in the last over–and picked his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) wicket.
Arjun Tendulkar shares his conversation with Sachin Tendulkar before the game-
“He (Sachin Tendulkar and him) talk about cricket, we discuss tactics before the game and he tells me to back what I practise every game. I just focused on my release, bowling good lengths and lines up front. If it swings, it’s a bonus, if it doesn’t, so be it,” said MI’s left-arm pacer.
Arjun, who got the opportunity to play back-to-back games for MI, ended his second game with a figure of 1/18 in 2.5 overs against SRH. And, the one wicket he picked was of Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the five-time champions side bowled out the home side for 178 runs in 19.5 overs, and Rohit Sharma-led side won the game by 14 runs.
A special moment for young Arjun Tendulkar, who gets his first wicket in #TATAIPL and it is his captain Rohit Sharma, who takes the catch of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Arjun takes the final wicket and @mipaltan win by 14 runs. pic.twitter.com/1jAa2kBm0Z
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 18, 2023
Arjun Tendulkar after picking a wicket says he is ready to bowl anytime-
“I love bowling, I am happy to bowl anytime the captain asks me to and just stick to the team plan and give my best,” said Arjun.
With the injuries and unavailability of star pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer, young players like Arjun are getting a chance to play in the star-studded side. Arjun has been part of the Mumbai squad since 2021, in the IPL 2023 mini-auction, he was purchased at INR 30 lakhs, by MI.
Arjun Tendulkar made his IPL debut for @mipaltan on Sunday as the legendary @sachin_rt watched his son from the confines of the dressing room ????
Here is the father-son duo expressing their emotions after what was a proud moment for the Tendulkar household?? – By @28anand pic.twitter.com/Lb6isgA6eH
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 17, 2023
“Obviously it was great getting my first IPL wicket. I just had to focus on what was in hand, the plan and executing it. Our plan was just to bowl wide and get the long boundary into play, make the batsman hit it to the longer side,” he said on his last over heroics against SRH.
While the now Mumbai-based side has won three games in five matches it played this season and is currently placed at the 6th spot in IPL 2023 points table. Now, for their sixth game of the season, MI will take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 22 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.