Even after a recent wedding, Arjun Tendulkar has continued to stay in the public eye for reasons that go beyond headlines. He has recently sat down for his first-ever interview, discussing a range of subjects, but the bigger talking point has been his growing confidence on the field. A switch to Lucknow Super Giants may turn out to be a turning point for him. At Mumbai Indians, the presence of established stars made it difficult for Tendulkar to break into the playing group. While it may still take time before he firmly settles into LSG’s XI, the confidence in his overall approach looks far removed from the uncertainty he displayed during his three-year stint with MI. There is a noticeable lift in his mood—he appears sharper, more energetic, and far more at ease.
One of the clearest signals of how he is being welcomed comes from the way Rishabh Pant connected with him, treating him like a supportive senior rather than a newcomer to be handled. The expressions on Tendulkar’s face also suggest he is genuinely enjoying the environment. Instead of being surrounded by high-profile names at every turn, he is now working alongside teammates who, like him, are still trying to find their rhythm and justify their value in the Indian Premier League 2026 auction.
On Monday, LSG posted a compelling video on their social media channels. In it, Arjun is seen in full rhythm during net sessions, landing yorkers with precision to provide Pant with useful practice. For the most part, Pant looked comfortable against the pace and accuracy, though there were a couple of deliveries in between that even he found difficult to handle. Earlier, another set of clips featuring Tendulkar walking along the boundary to carry drinks had also gone viral, with his straightforward, grounded manner earning praise across social media.
Being the son of a cricketing icon who represented Indian cricket for decades is never a simple journey. Yet Arjun appears determined to neither take the family name for granted nor use it as a platform to inflate himself. His natural innocence is something that sets him apart, particularly in a country where many beneficiaries of privilege often arrive with advantages handed down from wealthy families. In the middle of all the attention, what stands out most is his commitment. Less than a day after his wedding, he showed up for the DY Patil T20 Cup. And just days earlier, during the celebrations, he struck 55 off 29 balls in the middle of the festivities.
Why Arjun may still need to wait for his opportunity
Even with encouraging performances in the nets, Arjun’s path to consistent game time may still be delayed. The reason is not a lack of ability or any issue with his attitude; it is largely down to Lucknow’s bowling resources and the competition for roles. Although he has already produced an impressive landmark by scoring a century in the Ranji Trophy—mirroring a feat achieved by his father, Sachin—his main identity at the moment is still that of a bowler. On LSG’s official setup, he is listed under the ‘bowlers’ category, and despite repeated requests from fans to include him, he may have to remain on the periphery for now.
With Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan and Prince Yadav currently viewed as leading options, and Mayank Yadav still part of the mix, the chances for a new addition are naturally limited. At some stage, Arjun could be used as an Impact Player, but with IPL 2026 still early in the cycle, the left-arm pacer may have to wait a bit longer before getting his window. There are also role-specific questions around how he would fit if he were to contribute in multiple ways, such as being positioned as a No. 7 batter who can add value with both bat and ball. For that kind of flexibility, LSG already have other profiles to consider. Abdul Samad is known for big-hitting, while Mukul Choudary is being shaped as a finisher who can land clean, powerful strikes.
Arjun’s lessons from an earlier moment
Several years ago, a video made the rounds showing a young Arjun bowling to Virat Kohli. At that time, Kohli—serving as captain—wanted a left-arm pacer to practise against. It was in 2018, and Kohli had returned to England four years after the difficult 2014 tour. Arjun may not have been the exact answer Kohli needed in terms of matching a Sam Curran-style presence from that trip, but he still produced enough to satisfy the purpose of the session. He has bowled to India’s batters on multiple occasions in net settings, yet that particular workout at Lord’s stands out as one of his most meaningful experiences with the senior setup.
When you grow up as a star kid, life can feel both easier and harder at the same time. The surname that carries immense weight can make everyday pressure heavier, especially when expectations are sky-high. Rohan Gavaskar is an example of how that kind of scrutiny can shape a career path. Even now, 13 years after Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement, there has never been another player with his exact stature—and it is unlikely that someone else will mirror that fully. For Arjun, the best route may be to carve out his own identity and simply do what is demanded of him in the role he earns. For that to happen, though, Lucknow Super Giants will need to show him belief, and at some stage, that faith should translate into opportunities on the field.
