Arjun Tendulkar already knows the pressures of having a famous surname but Sachin Tendulkar wants his budding cricketer son to find “reasons to wake up every morning and chase his dreams” irrespective of the circumstances.
Arjun, a left-arm fast bowler, played two U-19 Tests for India last year and has been followed closely since the time he made his Mumbai U-19 debut.
With the second edition of ‘T20 Mumbai’ set to be his first senior appearance, the legendary father knows very well that his son’s performance would be watched.
Asked if T20s are a good way to start at the senior level compared to the traditional days format, Tendulkar said it’s an opportunity that Arjun needs to grab.
“In sports, nothing is guaranteed so whatever opportunities you are provided, you need to go out there and give your best and make the most of it,” Tendulkar Senior, who has refrained from commenting on his son’s journey, said in an interview.
“This is one platform that I feel people will be following you, your performances and if you are doing well, you will be on top of the world,” he added.
However, if he doesn’t get success, there is always a tomorrow and Arjun can comeback stronger, feels Tendulkar.
“As long as he continues to be passionate about cricket and in love with the game, that’s what matters to me. There are going to be highs and lows and he should find reasons to wake up in the morning and chase his dreams. His dream is to play cricket and do something special,” Tendulkar said.
Tendulkar’s father, famous Marathi poet and Professor Ramesh Tendulkar, had a huge impact on the legendary batsman’s thought process. “My father once told me:’You know as long as you don’t find shortcuts and prepare yourself before any match, then results will follow’. I will ask him (Arjun) to do that. Don’t worry about anything else.
“Just go out there and do what you are good at. If he is a good team man and good human being above all, that will be much more important to me,” said the veteran of 200 Tests.
According to Tendulkar, T20 Mumbai will not only give youngsters a platform to knock on IPL doors but recognise all those unnamed club cricketers, who have remained dedicated to the sport without ever being in the spotlight.
But won’t the T20 lure drive away youngsters from the traditional Ranji Trophy? Tendulkar said that there are no short cuts to the top.
