“I Don’t Have Cricketer Friends”: Arjun Tendulkar Details Life Off the Field and Move to Lucknow Super Giants
NEW DELHI — Arjun Tendulkar, the 25-year-old left-arm pacer and son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, has provided a rare look into his private life and mindset ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League season. Recently acquired by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Tendulkar is preparing for a new professional chapter after concluding his stint with the Mumbai Indians.
During a candid interview on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, the fast bowler outlined a lifestyle entirely disconnected from the typical professional sports ecosystem. Seeking a mental break from the sport during his downtime, he stated, “I don’t really have cricketer friends; most of my friends don’t play cricket.” Tendulkar noted that his social circle rarely discusses the game, allowing him to separate his career from his personal life.
Finding Quiet Away from the Spotlight
To manage the intense public scrutiny that accompanies his family name, Tendulkar relies on an intentionally quiet routine. Since transferring his domestic cricket base from Mumbai to Goa in 2022 to secure consistent playing time, he has established a peaceful off-field routine.
“I have five dogs in Goa, and I spend time playing with them,” he explained when asked about his methods for staying calm under public pressure. Despite facing persistent online trolling and external expectations tied to his father’s legacy, Tendulkar remains highly detached from outside noise. Asked directly if digital criticism affects his mental state, he responded with a definitive, “No, I’m not.”
Transition to Lucknow Super Giants
Tendulkar’s tenure at Mumbai Indians yielded limited match opportunities due to a crowded fast-bowling rotation. Over two active seasons, his deployment was highly restricted.
| Franchise | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians | 4 | 3 | 1/9 | 9.36 |
At LSG, he joins a pace battery featuring established international bowlers and emerging domestic talent. His path to the playing XI will require outperforming several squad members, though his secondary skill as a lower-order left-handed batter offers tactical flexibility for the franchise.
Key Factors for Tendulkar’s Upcoming Season:
- Domestic Momentum: Continues to represent Goa in the Ranji Trophy, gaining essential multi-day match fitness.
- All-Round Utility: Brings a dual skillset of left-arm medium-fast bowling combined with aggressive lower-order batting.
- Franchise Role: Offers LSG a specific left-arm angle that teams heavily value in modern Twenty20 structures.
Drawing Inspiration from Yuvraj Singh
While his father remains an undeniable influence, Tendulkar named former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh as a primary cricket inspiration, drawn to Singh’s aggressive left-handed stroke play. Addressing the stylistic differences between himself and his father, Tendulkar noted their distinct bowling disciplines. Referencing Sachin’s frequent use of slow bowling during his career, Tendulkar remarked with a smile, “He was a spinner; I am a pacer.”
As the new BCCI domestic calendar progresses toward the next IPL cycle, Tendulkar’s straightforward approach to both his craft and public attention indicates a player focused strictly on physical preparation and performance metrics rather than public perception.