The versatile Arjun Tendulkar has been formally moved from the Mumbai Indians (MI) to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) prior to the IPL 2026 player retention deadline. The left-handed fast bowler, son of celebrated cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, had been affiliated with the MI team since 2021 but faced challenges in securing consistent playing time, participating in just a handful of five matches overall.
The end of the Tendulkar legacy at Mumbai Indians with trade of Arjun
Tendulkar’s transfer to Lucknow signifies the official departure of the Tendulkar presence from the Mumbai playing lineup, concluding a connection that began when Sachin Tendulkar joined the franchise in 2008. The multifaceted player had been integrated into the MI setup since the 2021 mini-auction, but throughout his four years with the team, Arjun only managed to participate in five games, largely remaining on the sidelines despite being a domestic all-rounder option.
Observers have long speculated that the team’s continued decision to retain Arjun was primarily influenced by preserving the esteemed Tendulkar name within the franchise, owing to his father’s iconic status. The renowned Sachin Tendulkar played for MI until his retirement in 2013 and has since remained an influential personality and member of the support staff.
Following the transfer, MI released a public message of gratitude, extending well wishes to the young all-rounder for the next phase of his cricketing career. The franchise publicly acknowledged their pride in having contributed to his development and expressed optimism for his progress with the Lucknow team, anticipating his continued growth.
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Arjun Tendulkar’s IPL auction history and LSG’s tactical move
Tendulkar’s IPL journey has been marked by consistent participation in auctions but limited on-field appearances, rendering his transition to LSG a crucial juncture for his advancement beyond his initial environment. He was initially acquired by MI in the IPL 2021 mini-auction for INR 20 lakh but, despite the acquisition, did not participate in any match during that entire season, remaining on the sidelines. The franchise demonstrated sustained confidence by re-acquiring him for INR 30 lakh in the subsequent IPL 2022 mega-auction, where he continued to await his chance to debut.
Tendulkar ultimately made his anticipated IPL debut in 2023, where he enjoyed his most substantial series of matches, successfully claiming three wickets across four games. However, this impetus did not extend into the subsequent season, as he featured in only one match during IPL 2024, which ultimately became his final match in MI colors. His challenging phase persisted into the IPL 2025 mega-auction, where he was initially unsold in the initial round before MI re-secured him later in the expedited round at his base price of INR 30 lakh, although he remained unused throughout the season.
The present transfer sees LSG engage the 26-year-old all-rounder for INR 30 lakh with the intention of fulfilling precise squad requirements. The Lucknow-based franchise’s chief aim is to enhance the depth of their pace bowling resources with a domestic player who also contributes batting abilities lower in the batting order. The action is considered by many to be a definitive trial for Tendulkar, necessitating him to vie for a position solely based on performance, removed from the familiar environment of the Mumbai setup.
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