The son of legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar, Arjun, has been picked for the national under-19 team.
The 18-year-old has made his presence felt on the field by often tagging along and practicing with his ingenious father. The team will play five one-day internationals and two four-day matches in Sri Lanka in July.
Sachin, who remains the most revered sportsman in India, said his son’s selection “was an important milestone in his cricketing life”. Experts have praised Arjun Tendulkar’s ability to perform well in junior cricket despite intense media scrutiny.
In an interview in January, Tendulkar Jr said his dream was to play for India. “Yes, I’m working very hard to. That’s my ultimate dream,” he said.
Taller and thinner than his father, when asked about the stresses of continuing the name associated globally with an icon, he says: “I don’t take that pressure.
“When I bowl I just think hit the deck hard with every ball and when I bat I just play my shots, and choose which bowlers to take on and which not to.”
Arjun Tendulkar is a left-arm fast bowler. He said he did not choose bowling consciously. “I just grew taller and got stronger,” he explains.
“And I just loved bowling fast in my childhood. So I thought I might as well be a fast bowler because there’s not many in India.” Asked whether his father had been a decisive influence he adds: “He helped me a lot. But he didn’t force me into it.”
Many took to congratulate him on social media, while others remarked how under the guidance of coach Rahul Dravid he will shine brighter than his father.
Meanwhile, several others wondered if his father’s influence or in other words, ‘nepotism’ had anything to do with his selection.
They were also quick to draw comparisons between him and Sunil Gavaskar’s son, Rohan Gavaskar.
REACTIONS:
#ArjunTendulkar Nepotism Zindabaad!
— Utsav Chaurasia (@im__utsav) June 8, 2018
#ArjunTendulkar is an average bowler. He runs, and delivers the ball with a weird action. Thanks to his father’s recommendations, he is now part of the U-19 squad- and hundreds of more talented bowlers get ignored.
Remember, there was someone called Rohan Gavaskar.
— Ganeshan Iyer (@ganeshan_iyer) June 7, 2018
Waiting for Rahul Dravid asking the captain to declare the innings when #ArjunTendulkar is batting at 194*
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) June 8, 2018
Seriously why so much negativity around his selection ? If he doesn’t deserve to be there , he will get dropped just like other players ( son of) famous cricketers.#ArjunTendulkar pic.twitter.com/9fP2SKGPtV
— Prashant Pareek (@prashan23S) June 7, 2018
They have selected Arjun Tendulkar on the basis of quality of genes so that if he plays well, they can later claim that the study of genetics was first done in ancient India. #ArjunTendulkar
— Ovais Wani (@Ovais_) June 8, 2018
Every time #ArjunTendulkar gets hit for a boundary, he can turn to the batman and say, “pata hai mera baap kaun hain?” @sachin_rt
— Prasanna Karthik R (@prasannakarthik) June 8, 2018
If anybody thinks #arjuntendulkar got into the India u-19 team through merit. You are far far away from reality.
— yashas (@YashasRonie) June 8, 2018
Well #ArjunTendulkar can get #U19 berth due to his father’s credentials but to move forward in his career he has to perform and then earn a place in Indian cricket team else his career will be like that of other famous cricketers son’s…
— Ajay Grover (@AjayGrover29) June 8, 2018
It’s upto #ArjunTendulkar to break the trend of Bollywood sons who could not do even half as good as their dad. 😂#bachchan #kapoor #khanna
— meh! (@_therealNobody) June 8, 2018
It is not “Sachin’s son” who is picked for India U19. It is Arjun Tendulkar, a player in his own right and we must respect that.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 8, 2018
Can it be Arjun Tendulkar selected for U-19 Indian tour to Sri Lanka! Why over burden and pressurise a youngster by linking him to Sachin Tendulkar! #YoungIndia #ArjunTendulkar
— Yash Shah (@SambaZaraThamba) June 8, 2018
Yes #ArjunTendulkar has made it to Indian U19 cricket team,so have 14 other odd guys frm different cities & backgrounds..he is one amongst them..let him be..dnt discourage the young man..wht say @sachin_rt @ArjunTendulkarF
— Minashu Masta (@Minashu_M) June 8, 2018
Let him be given a chance and let him prove if he is worth the stage… Just like a person from deprived background should not be excluded similarly a person with privileged background should never be.let them prove their https://t.co/CwodMZA54c it #ArjunTendulkar or @RahulGandhi https://t.co/GhGuU42KDO
— Md Tarique Farid (@MTF4U) June 8, 2018
Those who are saying #ArjunTendulkar is in the team because of his father, do know the hard work he has done? Or “just bashing star kid will get some attention” is the approach. If you have more knowledge about cricket, why don’t you go out and play. #idiots
— Shubham Shrimant (@shubhamshrimant) June 8, 2018
Congratulations! #ArjunTendulkar #expressarchive @IndianExpress @ExpressImages @sachin_rt pic.twitter.com/s9TB0YZDGE
— Neeraj Priyadarshi (@neerajexpress) June 8, 2018
