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While Arjun Tendulkar has yet to feature on the field for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the ongoing IPL 2026 season, his market value reached a fever pitch in his home city. During the T20 Mumbai League auction held on May 2, the 26-year-old all-rounder became the subject of one of the most intense bidding wars of the day. This marks a significant milestone for Tendulkar, as he prepares to make his debut in the city-based competition with a substantial contract in hand.
Windfall on Arjun Tendulkar in T20 Mumbai League auction
Entering the auction with a modest base price of Rs 2 lakhs, the left-arm seamer quickly saw his valuation skyrocket as multiple franchises vied for his signature. By the time the hammer fell, his price had surged by 400%, landing at a final figure of ₹10 lakhs. The ARCS Andheri team ultimately emerged victorious in the bidding war, securing the young all-rounder for their roster.
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Within the ARCS Andheri camp, Arjun Tendulkar will share the dressing room with some of the most prominent names in domestic and international cricket. He joins Indian international Shivam Dube, a vital contributor to India's T20 World Cup successes in both 2024 and 2026. Dube was retained as the franchise's icon player for a staggering ₹20 lakhs, underscoring the team's commitment to experienced leadership. The squad has been further bolstered by the addition of promising talent Musheer Khan, who was secured during the May 2 auction for a notable salary of ₹11 lakhs.
Financially, this contract represents a significant earning for Arjun. His Rs 10 lakh salary for the T20 Mumbai League is equivalent to 33 per cent of his IPL paycheck. Currently part of LSG roster, having been traded from the Mumbai Indians (MI) by the Rishabh Pant-led management ahead of the 2026 season, Arjun maintains a Rs 30 lakh contract in the IPL, the same figure he earned during his tenure with the five-time champions.
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Arjun gets special clearance from MCA to participate in T20 Mumbai League
His participation in the Mumbai-based league required special clearance, as Arjun has played domestic cricket for Goa since the 2022-23 season. Despite having represented Mumbai for only two T20 matches early in his career, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) granted him an exception to participate. This eligibility was based on his status as a Mumbai-born player and the fact that he has not competed in any other state-level T20 leagues within the past year. Under BCCI regulations, players are restricted to a single state-run league annually, outside of the IPL.
A similar administrative exception was made for Siddhant Addhatrao, a wicketkeeper-batter who recently represented Puducherry but sought to return to the Mumbai cricketing fold. With these clearances in place, the league is set to provide a high-octane stage for these players to compete. The tournament is scheduled to take place during the first week of June, neatly filling the window between the conclusion of IPL 2026 and the arrival of the monsoon season in Mumbai.
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