Overview:
Ashwin’s remarks drew a reaction from Yograj Singh, a former India player and father of Yuvraj Singh, who had briefly coached Arjun in the past.
Arjun Tendulkar, son of legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, will represent the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026 after three seasons with the Mumbai Indians. He represents Goa in domestic cricket, and claimed three wickets in four matches for MI in IPL 2023 but failed to dismiss any batter in his only appearance in 2024. Lucknow bought him in the 2026 auction for Rs 30 lakh.
Despite the signing, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed scepticism about Arjun breaking into LSG’s playing XI, pointing to the team’s abundance of Indian pacers.
“Arjun Tendulkar khelega hi nahi (Arjun Tendulkar isn’t likely to get a game at all), and honestly, it’s hard to see how he would. The team already has Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, and Mohammad Shami. I don’t see him making the playing XI unless there are multiple injuries,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin’s remarks drew a reaction from Yograj Singh, a former India player and father of Yuvraj Singh, who had briefly coached Arjun in the past.
“He’s talking nonsense. This Ashwin guy, whoever he is, should be careful about what he says about someone. Sitting on TV and saying, ‘He can’t do this, he can’t do that. Arey tum kya ho bhai'(who are you to judge?)” Yograj said on InsideSport.
“When cricketers make comments like this… you have to remember, he’s Sachin Tendulkar’s son, which is a different matter. When he was here, I told Yuvi that everyone was focusing on the wrong things about Arjun Tendulkar. He isn’t a bowler as he had a spine issue, and his hands drop below 45 degrees. I spoke to him directly and also mentioned it to his coach when he was with Goa. When Arjun batted, he was hitting sixes and boundaries, and I told the coach, ‘What are you all doing? If you can’t manage him, send him to me,’” he added.
“I’m ready to challenge anyone in the world if Arjun Tendulkar spends six months training with me, he will outshine every batter out there. And if he doesn’t, I’ll shave off my beard and throw it away. That’s how seriously I take my work,” he concluded.