Ashwin’s Blunt Take on Arjun Tendulkar’s Chances at LSG: ‘He Won’t Play
Crowded pace attack leaves little room for young all-rounder ahead of IPL 2026
NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has cast serious doubt on Arjun Tendulkar’s chances of making it into the playing XI of Lucknow Super Giants for the upcoming IPL season, citing stiff competition within the squad.
Ashwin pointed to LSG’s formidable pace lineup, which includes names like Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, and Mohammed Shami, making it difficult for the young all-rounder to secure a spot unless injuries force a reshuffle.
Arjun, son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, was traded from Mumbai Indians to LSG ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. His IPL journey began in 2023 after being picked earlier in 2021, where he finally made his debut and featured in a handful of matches.
During his initial appearances, Arjun showed glimpses of potential, picking up a few wickets across limited outings. However, inconsistent opportunities and strong team competition have limited his game time so far.
Ashwin also expressed skepticism about LSG’s overall prospects this season, suggesting that the team may struggle to break into the top tier of the standings. The franchise has finished seventh in the last two IPL seasons, raising concerns about its consistency.
Lucknow Super Giants are scheduled to kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 1, with team combinations and selections expected to be closely watched.
