The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season starts on Friday, March 31, with a mega clash between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, the five-time IPL champions will face off against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their opening match on Sunday, April 2, and the team's skipper has made a massive claim regarding one of their bright talents.
Rohit Sharma revealed during the press conference that Arjun Tendulkar, who joined the Mumbai Indians (MI) during the 2021 IPL auction, might be in consideration for a sport in the team's playing XI in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. "Arjun Tendulkar is playing good cricket in recent times. He was injured but today he will start his Bowling," Rohit Sharma said about the 23-year-old.
The same was reiterated by the team's new head coach Mark Boucher, “Arjun has been playing good cricket for some time, he is bowling well, we are thinking that he will play in the playing 11 this year.”
This will be a massive boost for the young all-rounder, who has been gunning for a place in MI's playing in IPL 2022, and also moved states from Mumbai to Goa to play regularly and improve himself as a player. It was also a big moment of pride for his father, the great Sachin Tendulkar, who also made his IPL bow with the Mumbai Indians.
Arjun made headlines after scoring a century on his Ranji Trophy debut for Goa and also taking two wickets in the same match. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Goa, he floored the Hyderabad batters, taking four wickets in his quota of four overs while other bowlers were taken to the cleaners.
Rohit Sharma also spoke about the absence of Bumrah and reiterated the pacer's influence on the team and how they will cope. "Jasprit Bumrah's role was quite important for Mumbai Indians, it's a big shoe to fill. Jofra was with us last season also but unfortunately, he could not play due to an injury everyone knows that he is a quality player. Also in the absence of Jaspreet Bumrah, several young players have a great opportunity," Rohit Sharma said.
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