The spotlight has been on Arjun Tendulkar in recent times after he did not get to make his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 debut. Despite Mumbai Indians (MI) getting knocked out of playoffs race after record eight consecutive losses, Arjun was not handed his debut cap as the team management gave other youngsters a chance to prove themselves.
Meanwhile former Indian captain Kapil Dev believes that the youngster should be left alone. He also gave an example of Australian legend Don Bradman's son's example to explain Arjun's situation.
"Why are you talking about him? You are talking about him because he is Sachin Tendulkar's son. Let him play his own cricket and do not compare him with Sachin. Let me tell you something about Don Bradman, his son changed his name because he could not deal with that kind of pressure. He removed the surname Bradman because everyone was expecting him to be like his father," Kapil said on Uncut YouTube channel.
"Don't put pressure on Arjun. He is a young boy. It is unfair. To have a Tendulkar name has its advantages and disadvantages as well. Who are we to say anything to him when Sachin has been such a big player? But I would still just like to tell him one thing Go and enjoy yourself. No need to prove anything. If you can become even 50 percent like your father, there is nothing better. When the name Tendulkar comes up, our expectations rise because Sachin was such a great. We should just let him be and we should tell him to just enjoy his cricket," the 1983 World Cup-winning captain added.
The 22-year-old was picked by the Mumbai-based franchise for Rs 30 lakh in the IPL 2022 mega auctions. He was expected to make his debut in MI’s last league clash against Delhi Capitals (DC) but he spent his second consecutive season on the bench. Last season, he warmed the benches as well before he was ruled out of the UAE leg due to injury.
