Yograj Singh Slams R Ashwin Over Arjun Tendulkar’s LSG Playing XI Chances
A public dispute has erupted regarding Arjun Tendulkar’s position in the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Former Indian cricketer Yograj Singh delivered a sharp rebuke to veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin after Ashwin suggested Tendulkar would struggle to secure playing time in 2026.
Ashwin’s Assessment of the LSG Pace Attack
The conflict originated from Ashwin’s analysis of the LSG roster following the mega auction. Ashwin pointed out that LSG possesses an exceptionally deep fast-bowling unit, making it highly improbable for Tendulkar to break into the starting lineup without a significant injury crisis.
“Arjun Tendulkar won’t play at all, and let’s not even go there,” Ashwin stated. “I think it is very difficult because there are Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, and Mohammad Shami in this lineup. There are so many fast bowlers. How will he play? I don’t think he makes any case unless and until there are a lot of injuries.”
LSG Fast Bowling Depth Chart
A review of the current LSG squad supports Ashwin’s evaluation of the team’s depth. The franchise invested heavily in specialized pace bowlers, acquiring established internationals and high-velocity domestic talent.
| Bowler | Role | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Shami | Right-arm Fast | Indian International |
| Mayank Yadav | Right-arm Fast | Indian Domestic |
| Avesh Khan | Right-arm Fast Medium | Indian International |
| Mohsin Khan | Left-arm Fast Medium | Indian Domestic |
| Anrich Nortje | Right-arm Fast | Overseas International |
Yograj Singh’s Fiery Retaliation
Yograj Singh, father of former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, strongly objected to Ashwin’s commentary. In an interview, Yograj criticized the current Indian off-spinner for making definitive judgments about the young player’s career trajectory from a broadcasting desk.
“He is talking bulls**t, this guy, R Ashwin, whoever he is,” Yograj said. “He should know what to talk about somebody. Somebody’s sitting on the television and talking, ‘Oh, he can’t do this, he can’t do that’. Who are you? What are you?”
Shifting the Focus: Arjun Tendulkar as a Batter
Beyond his criticism of Ashwin, Yograj offered an alternative technical assessment of Tendulkar. While Sachin Tendulkar’s son is primarily classified as a left-arm fast-medium bowler, Yograj argued that a previous back injury compromised his bowling mechanics, asserting that his true potential lies in batting.
“He is not a bowler, he had a spine problem, and his hands come down from 45 degrees,” Yograj explained. “When he was here, I told Yuvi that all of you are concentrating wrong on Arjun Tendulkar. If you can’t do it, send him to me. I challenge the whole world that if Arjun Tendulkar spends six months with me, he will surpass all the batters in this world. If not, I will cut off my beard and throw it.”
Complete Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Squad
To provide full context on the roster constraints discussed by Ashwin, here is the official LSG squad, featuring a mix of established veterans and emerging prospects tracked by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
- Batters: Ayush Badoni, Himmat Singh, Prince Yadav, Akshat Raghuwanshi
- Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, Matthew Breetzke, Josh Inglis
- All-rounders: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmed, Arshin Kulkarni, Abdul Samad, Digvesh Rathi, Arjun Tendulkar
- Spinners: Manimaran Siddharth
- Fast Bowlers: Mohammad Shami, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, Anrich Nortje, Akash Singh, Naman Tiwari, Mukul Choudhary
For extensive player statistics and historical IPL data, visit ESPN Cricinfo.