'No one wants to sit on the bench...': Arjun Tendulkar breaks silence on leaving Mumbai Indians

Arjun Tendulkar, the son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, recently spoke about not getting enough chances while playing in the IPL for the Mumbai Indians (MI).

Arjun was picked by the Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2021 and stayed with the team for several seasons. During that time, he played only five matches and picked up three wickets. Although he showed good swing with the ball, his opportunities were quite limited.

Arjun Tendulkar on getting less chances in MI

Ahead of the latest season, he was traded to Lucknow Super Giants from the Mumbai Indians for ₹30 lakh. During a conversation, Arjun opened up about his experience at MI and the lack of consistent chances in the playing XI.

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He was asked, "You played a few matches for Mumbai Indians (MI) and bowled well. Your swing was good, so did you feel you should have gotten more opportunities?"

Replying honestly, 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."

Arjun Tendulkar on being compared with father Sachin

He also spoke about dealing with the pressure of being compared to his father and having a famous surname. When asked about how he handles such expectations and comparisons, Arjun stayed calm and clear in his approach.

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"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," said Arjun Tendulkar in a podcast as quoted by NDTV.

"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 replied.

Arjun first entered the IPL when he was signed by the Mumbai Indians in 2021. He remained with the franchise until 2025, but with limited chances, he eventually moved on. LSG will start their IPL 2026 campaign against Delhi Capitals (DC) which will take place in Lucknow.