Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar's son Arjun Tendulkar has been acquired by five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians in the recently-concluded IPL 2021 Auction for base price of INR 20 lakh.
The 21-year-old all-rounder is a left-handed medium pacer and middle order batsman. Arjun's signing with MI came as a no surprise as he was always a favorite to go to the franchise.
ALSO READ | IPL 2021: Sara Tendulkar Shuts Down 'Nepotism' Trolls For Brother Arjun By Posting Inspiring Message
However, some fans on social media trolled the young player and questioned his skills as 'nepotism' claims started doing rounds right after the IPL Auction concluded.
Amid many claiming that Arjun was bought by Mumbai Indians only due to his father Sachin Tendulkar's influence, Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar took to Twitter to defend the under-fire young cricketer.
"I feel I should say this about #Arjun_Tendulkar. We frequent the same gym & I've seen how hard he works on his fitness, seen his focus to be a better cricketer. To throw the word 'nepotism' at him is unfair & cruel. Don't murder his enthusiasm & weigh him down before he's begun," Farhan Akhtar wrote on Twitter.
MI bagging Arjun was of great significance as it was for the first time in history of IPL that a son of a cricketer, who has ever played IPL, managed to get an IPL contract.
Sachin Tendulkar played in the cash-rich T20 tournament for Mumbai Indians and now his son Arjun got an IPL contract from the same team.
Arjun recently played for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament but failed to make an impact. Also, he was seen struggling in the practice match during the team selection of Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The talented all-rounder finally came back in form during the Police Shield tournament. He scored a blistering 47 runs off 23 balls in a match. However, he failed to impress with his bowling as he gave away 83 runs in 9 overs without taking any wicket.