Arjun Tendulkar Falters Again in Vijay Hazare Trophy
Arjun Tendulkar, the left-arm seamer and son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, endured another disappointing outing in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. Playing for Goa against his former domestic side Mumbai, Arjun failed to make an impact with either ball or bat — continuing a worrisome run of form for the 26-year-old all-rounder.
With bowling figures of no wickets for 78 runs in 8 overs, his struggle was evident. With the bat, he could only muster 24 off 27 balls while opening the batting for Mumbai. Facing a team he once represented, Arjun was unable to find swing or control, allowing batters to settle early. The pressure mounted quickly, and the spell never really recovered, making it another forgettable outing in what has been a challenging season so far.
Bowling Figures Raise Fresh Questions
Arjun bowled his full quota but failed to break through. His inability to provide early wickets or contain runs has become a recurring concern in the tournament. Against Mumbai, the lack of movement and predictable lengths allowed batters to line him up, especially during the middle overs.
While conditions offered little assistance, other bowlers managed to adapt better — something selectors and team management will closely observe as the tournament progresses.
Limited Returns With the Bat
With the bat, Arjun showed brief intent but couldn’t convert his start into a meaningful contribution. His innings lacked fluency and ended before it could ease pressure on Goa’s lower order. For a player projected as a bowling all-rounder, the absence of match-defining moments with either discipline continues to hurt his case.
A Season That Hasn’t Clicked for Arjun Tendulkar
Across matches this Vijay Hazare Trophy, Arjun Tendulkar has struggled to find rhythm. The wickets haven’t come, and the economy rate has remained on the higher side. While he has shown promise in patches in domestic cricket before, consistency at the List A level remains elusive.
With competition for spots intense, the coming games could be crucial for Arjun to reset and deliver a performance that changes the narrative.
IPL Experience Yet to Translate at Domestic Level
Despite having exposure at the highest franchise level with the Mumbai Indians, Arjun’s IPL record remains modest. In five IPL matches, he has taken three wickets, with best figures of 1 for 17, while scoring just 13 runs. The experience has offered visibility, but it has yet to convert into sustained confidence or performance in domestic cricket.
The gap between potential and output continues to be evident.
Still Time, But Pressure Is Real
At 26, Arjun Tendulkar is not running out of time, but domestic cricket is unforgiving. Performances matter more than promise, and numbers — especially in tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy — carry weight with selectors.
Unless wickets start coming soon, his place in the Goa side and his long-term prospects will come under sharper scrutiny. The next few matches could well decide whether this season becomes a turning point or another missed opportunity.
