The end of the Tendulkar legacy among Mumbai Indians with the trade in Arjun
Tendulkar’s trade to Lucknow marks the official conclusion of the Tendulkar name on the Mumbai playing list, ending a family association that began when Sachin Tendulkar started with the franchise in 2008. The all-rounder had been part of the MI family since the 2021 mini-auction, but during his four years with the team, Arjun only managed to feature in five gamesspending most of his time warming the bench despite being a domestic all-rounder.
Fans have long suspected that the team’s ongoing decision to retain Arjun was primarily aimed at retaining the prestigious Tendulkar name within the franchise’s framework, given his father’s status as a club icon. The legendary Sachin Tendulkar played for MI until his retirement in 2013 and has been a highly influential figure and part of the backroom staff ever since.
After the departure, MI sent out a public message of thanks, wishing the young all-rounder all the best for the next chapter of his cricketing journey. The franchise publicly stated that they were proud to be part of his development and wished him all the best for his journey with the Lucknow, and looked forward to watching him grow.
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Arjun Tendulkar’s IPL auction history and LSG’s tactical move
Tendulkar’s IPL career was marked by consistent auction participation but minimal match appearances, making his move to LSG a pivotal moment in his development beyond his initial comfort zone. He was first bought by MI at the IPL 2021 mini-auction for INR 20 lakh but, despite the acquisition, did not feature in a single match that entire season and remained on the sidelines. The franchise showed continued confidence by re-acquiring him for INR 30 lakh in the subsequent IPL 2022 mega auction, where he continued to wait for his debut opportunity.
Tendulkar finally made his much-awaited IPL debut in 2023 where he received his most important series of matches and managed to take three wickets in four matches. However, this momentum did not continue into the following season as he played in only one match during IPL 2024, which ultimately turned out to be his last match in MI colours. His challenging spell continued in the IPL 2025 mega auction where he initially went unsold in the first round before MI re-acquired him later in the fast-track round at his base price of INR 30 lakh, although he remained on the bench for the entire season.
The current trade sees LSG rope in the 26-year-old all-rounder for INR 30 lakh to specifically cater to specific team needs. The Lucknow-based franchise’s main motivation is to add more depth to their bowling attack with a domestic player who also offers lower batting options. The move is seen by many as the real test for Tendulkar, leaving him to compete for a place purely on performance outside the protective environment of the Mumbai family.
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