The burden of being Tendulkar
Arjun Tendulkar has made himself available for the IPL 2021 auctions. And already he’s being judged! There are whispers that he will be taken by any franchise because he’s Sachin’s son. Is his surname a boon or bane?
Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun has registered for the IPL 2021 auction scheduled to take place in Chennai on February 18 (at a base price of 20 lakh). As soon as he did so, he became the hottest topic in the cricketing fraternity. Sadly, the youngster is being branded as a ‘product of nepotism’. They say he will get easy access to everything because of his dad!
An unfair comment. One must wait to see his performance first. We have seen in the past, sons of illustrious dads, have faded away as they were not good enough. Ultimately, talent counts. Since Arjun made his debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in January, he was eligible for the IPL auction. Yet many argue that the youngster is trading on his surname. Twitterati went berserk commenting that Arjun would be picked up because of his lineage. Rahul Mehra, sports activist and Standing Counsel (Criminal), Government of NCT of Delhi, expresses hope that Arjun is as talented as his father. “No doubt, Arjun is being picked because of his father (Sachin).”
No doubt, Arjun is being picked because of his father (Sachin). If no franchise picks him up, perhaps Mumbai Indians (MI) might bid for him
— RAHUL MEHRA, sports activist and Standing Counsel (Criminal), Government of
NCT of Delhi
If no franchise picks him up, perhaps Mumbai Indians (MI) might bid for him,” says Rahul, reminding us that Arjun has been with MI for a couple of years as a net bowler.
Implying that it is commonplace for sons to occupy positions because of their fathers, he says, “Even in politics and cinema it’s the same. You may get a break in any profession but ultimately your skill will define your journey.”
It is natural that Arjun will be compared to his father, Sachin, when he takes the field. However, former cricketer Vidyut Jaisimha feels comparisons are silly. He prefers the word ‘expectations’.
“My brother (Vivek) and I just wanted to play cricket and we enjoyed the game, that’s it. The expectation of either playing like the father or bettering him will obviously be there, but we cannot compare explains Vidyut.
players,”
A QUESTION OF CONFIDENCE
While Arjun is being branded as a ‘privileged kid’, some wonder why Sachin would risk his image unless he was convinced of his son’s potential. Sports broadcaster and analyst Sunil Yash Kalra feels Sachin has allowed his son to register for the auction only because of his confidence in the youngster. “Although Arjun has the pedigree, cricket acumen and all the support system, I don’t think he is a privileged kid when it comes to cricket. I don’t think Sachin would compromise,” Sunil says.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
As much as Arjun Tendulkar is being criticised for getting into cricket because of his surname, there are those who feel the family name has also been a burden to the youngster.
Suggesting that the surname is both a boon and a bane, cricket expert and author Vimal Kumar says passing judgment on the youngster without seeing his performance is unfair.
“Comments that Arjun is in a team because of his dad’s pedigree are sadly inevitable. But I feel it’s premature to judge him,” Vimal says.
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Now he is joining the cast of the bilingual film, Maha Samudram, and is set to woo
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