Sachin Tendulkar has undoubtedly been the greatest Indian to have played this game. In a mammoth career spanning 24 years, he achieved superstardom like no other. His son Arjun Tendulkar is also a budding prodigious fast bowler.
Today, he returned with a five-wicket haul playing for Mumbai U-19 against Madhya Pradesh in Cooch Behar Trophy. Arjun ended with figures of 5-95 in 26 overs in the second innings of the match played at the MCA’s Bandra-Kurla Complex. Match ended in a draw but Mumbai grabbed 3 crucial points in first innings lead.
Unlike his father, Arjun bats left-handed and bowl left-arm medium pace. He is more a bowler who can swing his willow when required. Arjun’s first big cricketing achievement was a century in MCA U-14 selection trials. Arjun has traveled with his dad on tours of South Africa, Australia, England and other countries.
Being the son of a cricketing legend, people expect Arjun to follow his dad’s footsteps and emulate him or try to come closer to him in terms of records. However, that is too harsh for a young boy because his dad was once in a century kind of a player.
Sachin as a dad believes in not imposing cricket on his children and allowing them to express themselves in the field of their liking.
“I want my children to be judged as individuals. I had the freedom to express myself and chase my dreams. That’s what I want to do with my children. It is not fair to say that my son has to play cricket and my daughter has to do something… It’s their life. What I expect from people is to give them the freedom to express themselves.” said Sachin
– by Atharva Apte
