LSG vs DC IPL 2026: Arjun Tendulkar getting traded from Mumbai Indians to Lucknow Super Giants might be considered as a direct trade deal before the IPL 2026 auction, but it did grab everyone's attention, although the trade window did see some major changes, like Sanju Samson being traded from Rajasthan Royals to CSK. And now that LSG will lock horns with Delhi Capitals during their tournament opener at their backyard, speculations are rife as to whether Arjun Tendulkar will be a part of LSG's playing XI.
The Rishabh Pant-led side, which finished in seventh position last year, will now try to begin their campaign on a high. And even though the Lucknow-based franchise struggled with key players getting injured during IPL 2025, they have a formidable side this year, with great additions like Mohammed Shami and Anrich Nortje. With Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan recovering from their injuries in time, it has only strengthened their fast-bowling attack.
The primary question remains: Will Arjun Tendulkar be included in today's playing XI?
Now, the real question is whether Arjun Tendulkar will be part of the playing XI. Tendulkar, who plays mainly as a bowler, will face tough competition from Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, and Mohsin Khan for a place in the playing XI as Shami will be spearheading their bowling attack. They also have a few young pacers on their side, like Prince Yadav, Akash Singh, Naman Tiwari, and all-rounder Arshin Kulkarni, who is also in the race to find a spot in the playing XI.
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Even though the Mumbai Indians did rope in Tendulkar during the IPL 2021 auction, he was ruled out even before the season began due to an injury, and then he was bought again before the IPL 2022 season. He was seen warming up on the bench during IPL 2022, then made his debut the next season against KKR, playing in five matches and taking three wickets.
Arjun, who has always tried to follow the footsteps of his legendary father, has often been criticized and compared to his father, Sachin, but has made his mark in the domestic tournaments over the last few years as he has taken 27 wickets after playing in 24 T20S at a staggering strike rate of 17.1 and a brilliant average of 25.07. He has scored 119 runs at a strike rate of 123.95 in the shortest format. After playing for Mumbai earlier, Arjun changed his domestic team to Goa, where he has a brilliant List A record, taking 25 wickets and scoring 47 runs in first-class cricket, including two half-centuries and a century in this format.
Before their tournament opener, Tendulkar revealed on a podcast how he deals with criticism. During an interview with Shubhankar Mishra, Arjun was asked, "How do you keep yourself so calm and cool?"
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And to this, he said, "I have 5 dogs in Goa, and I spend time playing with them." He was then asked, "Do you have friends who are cricketers?" And to this, he replied, "I don't really have cricket friends; most of my friends don't play cricket." He was then asked, "Are you scared of criticism?" Arjun replied, "No, I don't".