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Tendulkar Jr’s first big game

Arjun Sachin Tendulkar plays in Cadence Trophy cricket match in Pune. Sachin’s son is 10. He is a southpaw.

Salil Kulkarni

Posted On Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 12:43:02 AM

No problem son - Anjali Tendulkar cajoling Arjun after he was run out. Various moods (left) of Sachin’s son during the game

His illustrious father — Sachin — would have drawn crowds, but then when it came to his sibbling Arjun there was wasn't an iota of doubt in terms of identification by the casual onlooker. Bottomline is, the Tendulkars - even if it had to be the youngest of the family — cannot be missed.

"Aare yeh toh chota Tendulkar hai," came a spontanous reaction by employees of Shirke Siporex, who normally use the Cadence Academy Ground ground situated within the premises for their lunchtime walk. Although many may have never seen Sachin Tendulkar so closely, on Wednesday the small group was fortunate enough to see the Tendulkar Jr. in action.

While the 10-year-old was playing his first competitive national event representing MIG Cricket Club, who are in the city for Under-13 Cadence Trophy, the news spread like wildfire and spectators kept growing by the number.
thoroughly enjoyed

Pitted against Cadence Cricket Academy, MIG were sent on a virtual leather hunt. Arjun for the most part of the match fielded in the deep square-leg position, which he thoroughly enjoyed. After fielding for the mandatory 30 overs it was time for the little boy to show off his batting skills.

Opening the batting, Arjun like his father preferred to begin from as a non-striker. For the record, Sachin at the start of the innings in the ODI prefers to remain at the non-strikers end. Finally, in the second over Arjun got on strike.

The first ball, Arjun began agressively trying play a cross batted shot, but ended up missing it completely. The next ball saw arjun opened his account - this time he played it straight and firm. The first two shots played by Arjun clear indicated his intent, which certainly was aggressive. The batsman like his father seemed a bottom-hand player.

But much to disappointment of the people present and especially for Arjun a run out did him in when his partner sent him back after initially calling him for a run. Miscommunication between Arjun and his partner resulted in confusion, which clearly didn’t go down well with Arjun, who looked clearly dejected.

"Come on run tha yaar," is what he said to his team-mates after returning to the pavilion. After getting out Arjun was continuously chatting with his friends and didn’t show his emotions but looked very upset as he couldn’t contribute much to the team, which they eventually lost.

Arjun for the last five months is practising at the MIG Club (Kalanagar).

His coaches Chandu Bhatkar and Jagdish Chavan made it clear that at the moment their role is to look at his basics and develop Arjun’s interest in the game. "He is playing his first major tournament and is just ten. Previously he has played some Sunday intra-club matches, but this is first national-level tournament," said Chandu Bhatkar.

So what does he prefer batting or bowling? And Bhatkar said, "He loves batting and can bowl left-arm medium pace. But his first preference is batting."

Anjali Tendulkar too was present at the venue cajoled her son who looked dejected. For whatever the outcome of Arjun’s first dash may be the junior Tendulkar in a way started his journey in real cricket, where his father has reached great heights.

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