NEW DELHI: Arjun Tendulkar, son of legend Sachin Tendulkar, continues to make headlines with his impressive performances. The 18-year-old is currently in Australia to take part in Spirit of Cricket Global Challenge, a competition organised by the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Express photo by Kevin DSouza ,Mumbai 21-10-2017.
Playing for Cricketer’s Club of India against Hong Kong Cricket Club in a T20 match at the revered Bradman Oval, Arjun produced an eye-catching all-round performance on Thursday as he clubbed 48 runs off 27 deliveries as an opener and also picked up four wickets in four overs.
“I’m just so privileged to play on the ground named after the Bradman, it’s unbelievable,” Arjun was quoted as saying by abc.net.au on Thursday.
While Sachin Tendulkar made his name as batsman, breaking records after records for fun, his son has opted to become a bowler and a pacer at that. He is a left-arm pacer who also bats left-handed.
“I just got stronger [growing up], grew taller and I loved bowling fast from my childhood. I thought I may as well be a quick bowler because there aren’t many in India,” he said.
This is not the first time that Arjun has drawn attention. Apart from impressing in domestic competitions, he made waves when in July last year, he struck England batsman Jonny Bairstow with a well-directed yorker during a net session. After copping the blow, Bairstow needed medical attention.
The six-foot plus Arjun counts Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc and England allrounder Ben Stokes among his role models.
Arjun carries enormous weight of expectations being the son of Little Master but he is not affected by that. “I don’t take that pressure, when I bowl I just hit the deck hard on every ball and when I bat just play my shots and choose which bowlers to take on and which bowlers not to,” he said.
The Spirit of Cricket Global Challenge aims at “promoting spirit of the game and celebrating the many friendships built through it.” The tournament began on January 7 and will continue till January 14. Eight teams are participating at the event including SCG XI, Marylebone Cricket Club, Cricketer’s Club of India, Singapore Cricket Club, Hong Kong Cricket Club, South Australian Cricket Association, Singalese Cricket Club and Izingari.