Young and talented Arjun Tendulkar, son of batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, picked up his first-ever wicket in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday. Arjun, who was playing just his second match for Mumbai Indians in his IPL career, dismissed Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar off the last ball of the game to help his side register a stunning 14-run win.
Arjun Tendulkar picked up his first IPL wicket
Arjun Tendulkar, who was bought by Mumbai Indians for a price of Rs 20 lakh in the IPL 2021 auction, made his debut for Mumbai Indians against the Kolkata Knight Riders on April 16 after a long wait of almost three years. And he impressed one and all with his performance in the first game itself. He had bowled just two overs in that game but he impressed many with his pace and movement of the ball.
Talking about tonight’s game against SunRisers Hyderabad, with 20 runs to defend off the last 6 balls, Rohit Sharma took a big risk as he gave the responsibility of the ball to Arjun Tendulkar.
While everyone who was present at the stadium might have been nervous during those 6 balls, but not Tendulkar. Arjun repaid the faith Rohit showed at him as he handled the pressure well and looked to pitch the ball outside the right-handed batter’s hitting arc from the very first delivery.
Arjun finally got the wicket off the fifth ball of the over, when he pitched one fuller and the bat turned in Bhuvneshwar’s hands. The ball landed straight in the hands of Rohit. Following this, MI’s captain Rohit Sharma couldn’t control his happiness as he ran up to him to celebrate the dismissal. The Mumbai dugout could be collectively seen congratulating Arjun’s father Sachin Tendulkar.
Arjun made a heart-winning statement
Meanwhile, after the match, while speaking to the commentators, Arjun Tendulkar expressed his happiness and also shared how he executed the last over. He said:
“I just had to focus on what was in hand, the plan and executing it. Our plan was just to bowl wide and make the batter target the longer boundaries. I am happy to bowl every time the captain asks me to.”
On being asked about the conversations he has had with his father, he said: “We talked about cricket, discussed tactics before the game and he tells me to back what I practise every game. I just focused on my release, bowling good lengths and lines upfront.”
