Can Arjun Tendulkar Be Picked In India’s World Cup 2023 Squad?

Arjun Tendulkar has gotten off to an impressive start in his IPL career. Son of the legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar, Arjun, a 23-year-old left-arm seamer, made his IPL debut for the Mumbai Indians against KKR in IPL 2023, where he bowled two overs with the new ball for figures of 0/17 in 2 overs and didn’t return later on.

In his second match, against SRH, Arjun Tendulkar bowled similarly two overs up front with the new cherry, but this time, MI captain Rohit Sharma had to call him back for the last over of SRH’s innings when 20 runs were needed and they had two wickets in hand. He bowled his wide yorkers and yorkers well and conceded only 4 runs and took his maiden IPL wicket, Bhuvneshwar Kumar failing to get under the ball of a widish full ball and slicing to Rohit at cover.

Arjun Tendulkar

Can Arjun Tendulkar make it to India’s World Cup 2023 squad?

Arjun Tendulkar world cup 2023

It is a really far-fetched thought currently of Arjun Tendulkar making it to the Indian team this year, let alone get into India’s best squad for the home World Cup 2023 in October. Unless the youngster produces something miraculous that other Indian pacers can’t.

India have some injury concerns about their pacers. Jasprit Bumrah has undergone surgery and is rehabbing currently. Bumrah is likely to make his comeback to bowling by August and the BCCI selectors and team management are hoping that he be fit and fresh for the World Cup 2023 which will kick off in October.

Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami are likely to be India’s first-choice pacers with Shardul Thakur perhaps sneaking in the squad based on his all-round abilities.

Prasidh Krishna, a hit-the-deck pacer who seemed to be part of India’s World Cup plans before he got injured, is another candidate who could get chances once he’s fit. Deepak Chahar, who is injured again, is also in the race. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is currently out of the Indian team but has bowled well in the IPL with both new and old ball, could be recalled ahead of the World Cup based on his experience and new-ball skillset. And not to forget the fiery Umran Malik, who has played for India in the past year.

So, India have those bowlers with similar characterstics that Arjun Tendulkar brings; he needs to bring something more special and unique to the table – like his father did in the batting department – to topple those number of pacers ahead in the pecking order than Arjun Tendulkar, who is still on his learning curve and needs to gain more success in IPL and domestic cricket to make a case for national selection.

Arjun Tendulkar Sachin Tendulkar

Rohit Sharma, the MI and India skipper, is already impressed with Arjun Tendulkar’s confidence and the speed at which he’s grown. Rohit said: “Arjun Tendulkar has been a part of this team for the last three years [though he didn’t make the XI]. I have seen him grow over the years. He understands what he wants to do and he is quite confident about what he wants to do for the team as well.

“We saw in this lead up to the IPL what he was doing; he was bowling fast, nailing those yorkers, and quite clear in his plans as well. Keeping things easy – that’s what he is trying to do [for the team]. He is trying to swing the new ball and bowl yorkers at the death.”