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All-rounder Arjun Tendulkar has officially been traded from the Mumbai Indians (MI) to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the IPL 2026 retention deadline. The left-arm pacer, son of franchise icon Sachin Tendulkar, had been a part of the MI setup since 2021 but struggled significantly for opportunities, featuring in only five games total.
The end of the Tendulkar legacy at Mumbai Indians with trade of Arjun
Tendulkar’s trade to the Lucknow marks the official conclusion of the Tendulkar name on the Mumbai playing roster, 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 over his four years with the team, Arjun only managed to feature in five games, spending the majority of his time warming the bench despite being a domestic all-rounder option.
Fans have long suspected that the team’s ongoing decision to retain Arjun was primarily centered on keeping 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 since served as a highly influential figure and part of the backroom staff.
Following the departure, MI issued a public thank you message, wishing the young all-rounder the best for the next chapter of his cricketing journey. The franchise publicly stated that they were proud to have been a part of his development and wished him the very best for his journey with the Lucknow, looking forward to seeing him grow.
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Arjun Tendulkar’s IPL auction history and LSG’s tactical move
Tendulkar’s IPL career has been characterized by consistent inclusion in the auction but minimal match appearances, making his move to LSG a pivotal moment for his development outside his initial comfort zone. He was first purchased by MI in the IPL 2021 mini-auction for INR 20 lakh but, despite the acquisition, did not feature in any match that entire season, remaining on the sidelines. The franchise showed continued faith by buying him again for INR 30 lakh in the subsequent IPL 2022 mega-auction, where he continued to wait for his debut opportunity.
Tendulkar finally made his long-awaited IPL debut in 2023, where he received his most significant run of games, managing to take three wickets in four matches. However, this momentum did not carry forward 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 period continued into the IPL 2025 mega-auction, where he initially went unsold in the first round before MI re-acquired him later in the accelerated round at his base price of INR 30 lakh, though he remained benched the entire season.
The current trade sees LSG rope in the 26-year-old all-rounder for INR 30 lakh to specifically address specific squad needs. The Lucknow-based franchise’s primary motivation is to add more depth to their pace bowling attack with a domestic player who also offers batting capabilities lower down the order. The move is viewed by many as the real test for Tendulkar, forcing him to compete for a spot based purely on performance outside the protective environment of the Mumbai family.
