New Delhi: Arjun Tendulkar recently broke his silence on the lack of opportunities at his former team, the Mumbai Indians (MI), in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Arjun is set to play for a new franchise in the ongoing IPL 2026 as he is part of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) squad. This is the first time in his IPL career that Arjun has been part of any other team than MI.
Arjun was traded to the Lucknow Super Giants from the Mumbai Indians in exchange for Shardul Thakur ahead of IPL 2026. The left-arm all-rounder left the Mumbai Indians after managing only five appearances for the five-time champions over five seasons from 2021 to 2025. Arjun was a net bowler for MI before being bought by the franchise ahead of IPL 2021.
He made his IPL debut for the Mumbai Indians in 2023 and played four matches that season, picking up three wickets and scoring 13 runs. He played only one match in 2024 and was on the bench for the entire season in IPL 2025 before getting traded to LSG for Shardul. Speaking to journalist Shubhankar Mishra on his YouTube channel, Arjun opened up on the lack of chances at MI.
When asked if he felt he should have played more matches at Mumbai Indians, Arjun said: “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.”
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Arjun Tendulkar on comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar
Comparisons were natural for Arjun while growing up and pursuing cricket as a career, thanks to his father’s legacy. However, the 26-year-old has always distanced himself from comparison talks and focused on his career. Arjun said it is a blessing to be associated with a big name, but it has its own set of challenges.
“There are comparisons. I want to know as a human being—but only if you’re comfortable—because I always try to put myself in your shoes. When a big name is associated with you, it is obviously a blessing, but there are also challenges. So, how do you deal with it mentally? When you perform well, there will be comparisons, even though you haven’t chosen them,” the host asked Arjun.
“I play cricket for my passion, and not to prove anything to anyone. I just focus on the process of working hard and enjoying my game,” Arjun responded.
The left-arm all-rounder will be hoping to get more chances for LSG in IPL 2026. Arjun has so far played five matches in his IPL career and has 3 wickets to his name. He plays for Goa in the domestic circuit. He has 52 wickets and 685 runs under his name in 24 matches in first-class cricket, and 35 wickets and 189 runs in 29 T20 matches in his career so far.
Though there are chances of Arjun getting more opportunities at LSG, he will find it difficult to cement a spot in the playing XI. LSG have a strong Indian pace attack consisting of the likes of Mayank Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohsin Khan and Prince Yadav, among others. Thus, Arjun, a left-arm pacer, who ca also contribute a bit with the bat, might not get regular opportunities.