Arjun Tendulkar

Legacies can be hard to endure. Nepotism is a hot topic in India, particularly in this decade, and despite exhibiting an apparent facade of privilege, living up to a family legacy can be hard work. If you’re a descendant of the greatest batsman of all time, it is difficult to live up to the expectations of the public. And if you’re the heir of a cricketing god in your country, it’s well-nigh impossible.

Nevertheless, Arjun Tendulkar has set out to accomplish what his father never could. Back in 1987, an aspiring 14-year-old fast bowler by the name of Sachin Tendulkar was given a shake of the head by Dennis Lillee at the MRF pace academy, citing the reason that his height and his body type were ill-suited for fast bowling. Arjun Tendulkar, his second-born child, 5’10’' and still growing, certainly has the prerequisite body type for it and is well on his way to becoming the left-arm pacer that India has struggled to find since the retirement of Zaheer Khan in 2014.

A tall lanky lad in his teens, Arjun has had the best of resources and guidance to learn fast bowling, and in the initial phase of his career, he has made full use of his opportunities by developing a curved run-up and a genuine outswinger’s action. He is capable of getting the ball to swing late and at a significant pace for his age. He is also a capable lower-middle-order batsman who can use the long handle, but it is his second priority after fast-bowling.