R Ashwin praises Arjun Tendulkar’s debut for LSG and his cricket IQ

Applauding Arjun Tendulkar for his performance was also his sister Sara, and Yuvraj Singh.

Arjun Tendulkar made his long-awaited IPL 2026 debut on Saturday, playing for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Though the franchise may not have had the season it hoped for, the young pacer made a strong impression in his very first outing. Impressed among those was RavichandranAshwin, who went on praising the young cricketer’s temperament, cricket IQ and his fearless attitude.

Arjun Tendulkar’s debut in IPL 2026 was built on patience and mental strength.

Making his first appearance for Lucknow Super Giants, Arjun Tendulkar finished with figures of 1/36 in four overs. While the numbers may not appear extraordinary at first glance, it was the way he handled pressure that stood out. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin highlighted how difficult Arjun’s journey has been due to constant comparisons with his legendary father, Sachin Tendulkar. According to Ashwin, Arjun’s biggest strengths are his work ethic and refusal to be intimidated on the field. “He doesn’t back away from a contest,” Ashwin said, pointing out how the youngster continued attacking even after being hit for boundaries. “Even if someone hits him for a six, he comes back harder.”

The delivery that impressed R Ashwin the most.

One particular moment during the match caught Ashwin’s attention, Arjun’s tactical bowling against Punjab opener Prabhsimran Singh. In his opening over, the left-arm pacer tested the batter with a sharp bodyline bouncer that produced a top edge. Although wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant dropped the catch, Ashwin believed the delivery showed Arjun’s cricket intelligence. Later in the innings, after being attacked by both Prabhsimran and ShreyasIyer, Arjun responded with a brilliant yorker that swung in late and trapped Prabhsimran LBW. Ashwin was especially impressed by the reverse movement on the delivery and revealed he had seen online videos of Arjun extensively practising yorkers before the game. Ashwin admitted that Arjun’s debut also reflected the struggles Lucknow Super Giants faced this season, suggesting the youngster might not have gotten an opportunity had the team’s original bowling plans worked out. Still, he made it clear that Arjun had earned respect with his performance and deserved more chances going forward. For a player carrying one of the biggest surnames in Indian cricket, Saturday’s debut felt less about legacy and more about proving he belongs on his own merit.

Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh also reacted positively to the debut performance, sharing a social media post praising Arjun for bowling well and picking up a crucial wicket. Meanwhile, Arjun’s sister Sara Tendulkar shared an emotional Instagram message celebrating her brother’s patience and resilience. “You deserve the world, my little brother,” she wrote, applauding his hard work and ability to stay calm despite the pressure surrounding his career.