Mahela Jayawardene discloses why MI signed Arjun Tendulkar
Arjun Tendulkar, son of Sachin Tendulkar, will likely make his IPL debut in the upcoming season. The rising star of Mumbai cricket earned a deal worth 20 lakh from the Mumbai Indians at the recently-concluded IPL Auction 2021.
Many expected Arjun Tendulkar to earn a deal from the Mumbai Indians because he had been a net bowler for them in the previous season. Mahela Jayawardene pointed out the same thing and stated that the Mumbai-based franchise picked Arjun purely on skill basis.
"We've looked at it purely on a skill basis. I mean, there is going to be a big tag on his head because of Sachin. But, luckily, he's a bowler, not a batsman. So I think Sachin will be very proud if he could bowl like Arjun," ESPNcricinfo quoted Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene as saying.
Mahela Jayawardene mentioned Arjun Tendulkar was a very focused young man who will learn a lot of things in the upcoming IPL season. Talking further about Arjun Tendulkar’s signing, Mahela Jayawardene added:
"We have to give him time and hopefully not put a lot of pressure on him either. Just let him evolve and work his way up, and that's what we're there to help him to do.”
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene reveals why they picked Arjun Tendulkar in #IPL2021Auction https://t.co/J7IIDBKqoQ
— HT Sports (@HTSportsNews) February 19, 2021
Apart from Arjun Tendulkar, the Mumbai Indians also signed Nathan Coulter-Nile to strengthen their pace attack. Coulter-Nile played a crucial role in MI’s win last year. He picked up two important wickets in the IPL 2020 Final against the Delhi Capitals.
Talking about the other players MI signed, experienced leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has joined the franchise. Meanwhile, uncapped all-rounder Marco Jansen is also in the MI squad. James Neesham earned a contract worth 50 lakh from the Mumbai-based franchise, while Yudhvir Charak also became a member of the Mumbai Indians squad for the upcoming IPL season.