all-rounder Arjun Tendulkar has been officially traded since Mumbai Indians (MI) till Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Before the IPL 2026 retention deadline. The left-arm fast bowler, son of franchise icon Sachin Tendulkar, has been part of the MI setup since 2021 but has struggled for opportunities, playing only five games in total.
Tendulkar’s legacy at Mumbai Indians ends with Arjun trade
Tendulkar’s trade to Lucknow marks the official end of Tendulkar’s name in Mumbai’s playing roster, ending a family affair that had begun since Sachin Tendulkar Started with the franchise in 2008. The all-rounder was part of the MI family since the 2021 mini-auction, but in his four years with the team, Arjun managed to join only five gamesThe domestic all-rounder spends most of his time sitting on the bench despite being an option.
Fans have long suspected that the team’s current decision to retain Arjun was primarily focused on keeping the iconic Tendulkar’s name within the framework of the franchise, given his father’s status as a club icon. The great Sachin Tendulkar played for MI until his retirement in 2013 and has since served as a highly influential figure and part of the backroom staff.
Following the departure, MI released a public thank you message, wishing the young all-rounder all the best for the next chapter of his cricket journey. The franchise publicly stated that they were proud to be a part of his development and wished him all the best on his journey with Lucknow, and look forward to watching him move forward.
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Arjun Tendulkar’s IPL auction history and LSG’s strategic move
Tendulkar’s IPL career has been characterized by the fact that he has been consistently included in the auctions but has featured sparingly in matches, making his move to LSG a key moment for his development outside his initial comfort zone. He was first bought by MI in the IPL 2021 mini-auction for Rs 20 lakh, but despite the acquisition, did not feature in any matches throughout the season, and remained on the sidelines. The franchise showed continued faith in him by re-buying him for Rs 30 lakh in the subsequent IPL 2022 mega-auction, where he continued to wait for his first opportunity.
Tendulkar finally made his long-awaited IPL debut in 2023, where he achieved his most important games, managing to take three wickets in four matches. However, this momentum did not continue into the next season, as he appeared in only one match during IPL 2024, which ultimately proved to be his final match in MI colours. His challenging run continued in the IPL 2025 mega-auction where he remained unsold in the first round, later MI re-acquired him in the quick round at the base price of Rs 30 lakh, although he remained on the bench throughout the season.
In the current trade, LSG are likely to include the 26-year-old all-rounder for Rs 30 lakh specifically to meet the specific team needs. The primary motivation of the Lucknow-based franchise is to add more depth to their fast bowling attack with a home-grown player who also provides batting ability in the lower order. The move is seen by many as a real test for Tendulkar, forcing him to compete for a place on the basis of performance outside the protective environment of the Mumbai family.
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