It did come as a big surprise, when during the IPL 2025 Auction, MI did bid for Arjun Tendulkar, after not retaining him. Look, over the last few days Mumbai Indians has been getting all the praise for spotting a talent like Vignesh Puthur, but on the flipside, they do deserve some criticism too, for not being able to find out a role for Tendulkar Jr., who is a fast-bowling all-rounder.
Arjun Tendulkar’s IPL Career, a Mystery
Going by his stats in T20s — the 25-year-old has played 24 matches till now, where he has bagged 27 wickets at an average of 25 and an economy rate of 8.75. He hasn’t had much success with the bat and scored only 119 runs at an average of 13 and a strike-rate of 123. In IPL, he has bagged three wickets in 5 matches at an economy of 9.36..
With this showing, there will always be questions be raised — as to why did MI go on to pick him again, and if they did so, why aren’t they playing him? The man played four matches in 2023, and just one in 2024; so where is the problem? If he is good enough to be bought again, despite playing just one match in IPL last year, why not field him in the XI now?
Played Five Matches for MI
In their first match of IPL 2025, it is not like they went with the players with best stats anyways.. Satyanarayana Raju, the medium pacer from Andhra has only 7 wickets from 8 T20 matches. So, why not Arjun? Not only does he give a decent bowling option, but also can be a good batsman lower down the order.
What is Arjun’s Future?
It is not like Arjun has done any good to his reputation. He left Mumbai, so that he could find a regular place in the playing XI in Goa, and now, even that is not guaranteed. After four years of domestic cricket, his numbers aren’t astounding, to put it simply. In LIST A, he has 25 wickets in 18 matches, at an average of 31, and scored 102 runs. In Ranji Trophy, in 17 outings he has 37 wickets and scored 532 runs at an average of 23.
To cut the long story short, Arjun Tendulkar deserves a spot in the MI playing XI, given that Jasprit Bumrah is still not fit. Yes, he might not be as good, but given the choices MI made in the last match; should be avoided.
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