Arjun Tendulkar: Should He Really Ditch Bowling and Focus on Batting?

'He bats like his father': Yograj asks Sachin's son Arjun to focus on batting

When Legends Speak: Yograj Singh’s Bold Take on Arjun Tendulkar

The name Arjun Tendulkar carries a weight few can imagine. As the son of the “God of Cricket,” Sachin Tendulkar, every run he scores and every wicket he takes is scrutinized through the lens of legacy. But now, a surprising voice has entered the conversation. Former India all-rounder Yograj Singh—a man known for his candid opinions—has made a bold claim: Arjun is a natural batsman, and his batting talent is being wasted .

This isn’t just nostalgic praise. Yograj’s comments have reignited a crucial debate about Arjun’s development path in Indian domestic cricket. Is his true potential lying dormant at the crease while everyone fixates on his left-arm pace?

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Yograj Singh’s Bold Claim: “He Bats Like His Father”

In a recent interview, Yograj Singh didn’t hold back. He revealed that Arjun himself has expressed frustration that his batting has been consistently overlooked by his coaches, who have primarily developed him as a bowler .

“He bats like his father,” Yograj stated emphatically, praising Arjun’s strokeplay and natural elegance at the crease . This is high praise coming from someone who played alongside greats and understands the nuances of the game. His core argument is that by pigeonholing Arjun as just a bowler, the system is failing to nurture a potentially world-class batting talent.

Arjun Tendulkar’s Cricketing Journey So Far

Arjun’s journey has been under the public eye since his teenage years. He made headlines with his selection for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, a move that drew both praise for his raw talent and criticism for perceived nepotism. However, his journey in domestic cricket has been a slow and steady grind, which is the true proving ground for any Indian cricketer.

He has represented Mumbai in various age-group tournaments and the senior team in domestic competitions like the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Ranji Trophy. His recent, significant move was to join the Goa cricket team for the 2025-26 domestic season, a strategic shift that has already seen him open the batting .

The Batting vs. Bowling Debate: What Do the Stats Say?

While the pressure of legacy is immense, the numbers provide a more objective view. Let’s break down his recent domestic performances:

  • First-Class (Ranji Trophy): Across 4 matches, he has scored 157 runs at an average of 22.43, with a highest score of 76. With the ball, he has 8 wickets at an average of 40.75 .
  • List A (Vijay Hazare Trophy): In 10 matches, he has 169 runs at 18.78 and 12 wickets at 30.91 .

These stats tell a story of a player still finding his feet, which is entirely normal for a young cricketer in the highly competitive Indian domestic circuit. His bowling numbers as a left-arm seamer are solid but not yet exceptional in a system full of quality pace options. On the other hand, his recent move to open the batting for Goa has yielded a promising 76, suggesting his top-order potential might be real .

Opening for Goa: A New Chapter for Arjun Tendulkar

His shift to the Goa team is more than just a change of scenery; it’s a tactical reset. For a player struggling to cement a role in the star-studded Mumbai unit, Goa offers a platform to own a position. The decision to use him as an opener is a direct validation of Yograj Singh’s view. It’s a vote of confidence in his batting temperament and ability to face the new ball .

This new responsibility could be the catalyst Arjun needs to develop his batting identity separate from his famous surname. [INTERNAL_LINK:goa-cricket-rise] Goa’s cricket team has been on an upward trajectory, and giving a high-profile talent like Arjun a key role is a smart move for both player and franchise.

Why Focusing on Batting Might Make Sense

India’s current national team is stacked with world-class fast bowlers. Breaking into that group is an enormous challenge. However, the batting lineup, while strong, is always looking for consistent, technically sound openers and top-order batsmen.

Yograj’s logic is simple: Arjun Tendulkar possesses a natural gift for batting that is both rare and, if his father’s genes are any guide, potentially elite. By doubling down on this skill, he might carve a more distinctive and successful path for himself. It’s not about abandoning bowling entirely, but about prioritizing his primary strength, as Yograj insists his coaches should have done all along .

Conclusion: Finding His Own Path

The conversation sparked by Yograj Singh is a healthy one for Indian cricket. It forces us to look at Arjun Tendulkar not just as Sachin’s son, but as an individual athlete with his own unique skill set. While his bowling has been his calling card, the whispers about his batting elegance have always been there. His new role as an opener for Goa is a live experiment in this very debate. Whether he becomes a batting all-rounder or a specialist top-order bat, the next few domestic seasons will be critical. One thing is certain: the pressure of his legacy is immense, but the opportunity to forge his own identity has never been clearer.

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