“No One Wants To Sit On Bench”: Arjun Tendulkar Opens Up on Mumbai Indians Stint and IPL 2026 Plans
Arjun Tendulkar, son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, is ready to start a fresh chapter in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2026. The 23-year-old all-rounder first entered the IPL in 2021 when he was signed by the Mumbai Indians (MI). Over his five seasons with the franchise, Arjun featured in only five matches, largely due to stiff competition in a star-studded squad that included world-class pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.
During a candid conversation on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, Arjun opened up about his experience with MI and the challenges of limited opportunities:
“Who doesn’t feel that? No one wants to sit on the bench. But we want to work hard and perform when we get a chance.”
Arjun also shared his views on the IPL’s controversial Impact Player rule, which allows teams to introduce a substitute player mid-match—a concept absent in international T20s.
“Pick 11 and play. Because in international T20s, and in any other league, there is no Impact Player. So, I am personally against the Impact Player rule,” he said.
New Opportunities with LSG
Now with Lucknow, Arjun sees a better chance to showcase both his batting and bowling skills. While the franchise is known for a strong top order, its middle and lower-middle order has room for reinforcement, and Arjun may find opportunities at positions 6, 7, or 8. He remains focused on adapting to whichever role the team requires.
“Our middle order is also very powerful. T20 is a game where anyone can beat anyone, so I think we have a bright chance to do well in this tournament,” he said, reflecting optimism about the team’s prospects.
Arjun also emphasized patience and mental strength as key attributes in professional cricket, acknowledging the pressure that comes from being Sachin Tendulkar’s son. Despite online trolling and comparisons, he says he has learned to stay grounded, relying on simple routines, hobbies, and his pets in Goa to keep calm off the field.
Looking Ahead
While Arjun’s IPL journey has been slow so far, his move to LSG represents a fresh start where he can build confidence, gain match experience, and contribute meaningfully to the franchise. Fans will be keenly watching to see if the talented left-arm pacer and handy lower-order batter can step out of his father’s shadow and cement his place in the league.
With IPL 2026 underway, all eyes will be on Arjun to see how he balances expectations, competition, and opportunities—showing that patience, perseverance, and preparation are as crucial as talent in the high-pressure world of T20 cricket.
