By Malcolm Conn
A sturdy forward defence may be the last shot employed in the hurly-burly of the IPL, but it is the only approach taken when questions are asked about Arjun Tendulkar.
It’s the question in the IPL no one dares answer. Is Arjun Tendulkar, 23, playing for the Mumbai Indians as a left-arm seamer because he deserves to be there or because he is the son of the great Sachin Tendulkar?
“I’m not going there,” an IPL official told this masthead during the current tournament, reflecting similar responses from those who picked up the phone.
One Australian involved in the IPL did offer an opinion on the condition of anonymity, saying “I don’t think he’s that good. I’m surprised that he’s played. He bowls about 125 (km/h).”
Selected by the Mumbai Indians in 2021 with little in the way of performances behind him at domestic level, Arjun made his IPL debut this year. He has played four matches, claiming three wickets at 31 and with an economy rate of 9.35, both on the high side for the IPL.
“At least he hasn’t looked out of his depth,” another international observer offered.
Arjun Tendulkar bowling for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL last month.Credit: AP
In two years of domestic cricket Arjun has 12 first class wickets at an average of 46 in seven matches, although he does have a first class century.
His domestic T20 numbers are more encouraging – 15 wickets in 13 games at an average of 19.33 and an economy rate of 7.28.
As with the sons of many high-profile cricketers, the expectations and pressure on Arjun, especially in India, would have been high since his youth.
The son of Australia’s Sachin Tendulkar equivalent, John Bradman, changed his name to Bradson to try and lessen the spotlight shone on him by his famous father Sir Donald Bradman, widely regarded as the greatest cricketer the world has ever seen.
Sachin Tendulkar batting for the Mumbai Indians in 2012, with Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni watching on.Credit: AP
Arjun has carried a similar burden, as highlighted by the defensive attitude of then coach Mahela Jayawardene after the 21-year-old was signed by the Mumbai Indians two years ago.
“We’ve looked at it purely on a skill basis,” Jayawardene said after the auction. “I mean, there is going to be a big tag on his head because of Sachin. But, luckily, he’s a bowler, not a batsman.”
In a country where cricket and religion are omnipresent and seemingly intertwined, anything considered demeaning to Sachin Tendulkar, the most prolific international batsman who has ever lived, will have trouble continuing to access the lucrative world of Indian cricket.
Such is Sachin’s standing in India, he was still playing cricket when nominated by the Indian government for a seat in the Indian upper house of parliament, the Rajya Sabha, in 2012.
Adam Gilchrist was stung when he attempted to make honest observations about Sachin in a candid autobiography released during 2008.
The wicket-keeping great took aim at Sachin for being “hard to find for a changing room handshake after we have beaten India” and for changing his story around “Monkeygate” when Harbhajan Singh was originally found guilty of racially abusing Andrew Symonds.
Gilchrist described the subsequent appeal as a “joke”.
“Tendulkar, who’d said at the first hearing that he hadn’t been able to hear what Harbhajan had said - and he was a fair way away, up the other end, so I’m certain he was telling the truth - now supported Harbhajan’s version that he hadn’t called Symo a ‘monkey’ but instead a Hindi term of abuse that might sound like ‘monkey’ to Australian ears,” Gilchrist said. “The Indians got him off the hook when they, of all people, should have been treating the matter of racial vilification with the utmost seriousness.”
All hell broke loose and a day later the Indian media were full of stories saying that Gilchrist had rung Sachin to apologise.
Adam Gilchrist batting for the Deccan Chargers during the IPL in 2009.Credit: AP
The Times of India reported: “Under fire from millions of cricket fans across the world, Adam Gilchrist apologised to Sachin Tendulkar over his ‘liar, dishonest and bad sport’ remarks in his book. Gilchrist called up Sachin Tendulkar today, and has reportedly apologised saying, ‘Sorry’. Gilchrist also stated that his comments were taken out of context.”
One veteran India cricket observer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that it was “a small price to pay” for the Mumbai Indians to have Arjun in their squad when it helped to cement Sachin’s ongoing involvement with the franchise after being captain for their first six years.
Now officially listed as an “icon” by Mumbai, he is widely described as the club’s mentor, and gives them enormous pulling power commercially.
However, having another Tendulkar in the squad doesn’t help merchandising given that Sachin made the number 10 on his back famous and Arjun wears 24, signifying his birthdate.
The veteran observer claims that Arjun had development opportunities available to almost no one else given Sachin’s connections ensured he was often bowling at IPL and even international training as a net bowler operating under some of the best coaches.
“He’s been given every chance to succeed, but he has the most awkward run-up for any fast bowler I’ve seen, particularly for someone who has been given so much help,” said the observer.
Arjun was dropped for the return of Jofra Archer from a four-game break which apparently included undisclosed minor surgery in Belgium on his troublesome elbow.
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