'Two qualities you have to give credit for' - R Ashwin lauds Arjun Tendulkar after impressive LSG debut vs. PBKS in IPL

'Two qualities you have to give credit for' - R Ashwin lauds Arjun Tendulkar after impressive LSG debut vs. PBKS in IPL originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Arjun Tendulkar made his LSG debut against Punjab Kings on Saturday.
• Ashwin praised Arjun's work ethic, mental strength, and cricketing intelligence.
• Yuvraj Singh also applauded Arjun's performance on social media after the match.

Ashwin lavishes praise on Arjun Tendulkar after LSG debut in Lucknow

Arjun Tendulkar finally walked out to make his debut for Lucknow Super Giants against Punjab Kings on Saturday evening, and the pacer left Ravichandran Ashwin genuinely impressed.

He returned with figures of one wicket for 36 runs in four overs, which was a decent enough return for a left-arm pacer playing his first competitive game of the season after spending almost two months watching from the sidelines. 

On his YouTube channel, Ashwin acknowledged that the very fact Arjun had finally been handed a game said everything about how badly LSG's campaign had gone. But he was quick to add that this context should not diminish what the youngster actually produced with the ball.

“I won’t talk about his skill. But his journey is not easy because he will always be compared to his father. However, I will say two things about him — he is extremely hard-working and does not back down from a contest," Ashwin said. 

"After bowling, he gives you a stare. Even if you hit him for a four or six, he comes back harder. Those are two qualities you have to give the kid credit for."

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R Ashwin impressed with Arjun Tendulkar's game reading and yorkers

Ashwin pointed to Arjun's sharp reading of Prabhsimran Singh's vulnerability against short-pitched deliveries directed into the body.

In his very first over, Arjun tested that weakness with a bouncer that drew a top edge, only for wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant to put down the chance. Prabhsimran and Shreyas Iyer then came after Arjun in the following over, putting him to the boundary multiple times. He did not flinch. 

“That yorker actually reversed. I also saw videos on social media of him practising yorkers extensively," Ashwin said.

"But the one thing that truly impressed me was the bodyline bouncer to Prabhsimran. That is never easy for a batter. There was a top edge and Pant could not hold on to the catch, but Arjun identified the weakness, executed the plan and then nailed the yorker as well. For someone playing his first game of the season, that was very impressive."

The praise was not limited to Ashwin. Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh took to social media after the match to applaud Arjun's contribution.

“Great to see #ArjunTendulkar get a game, strike a critical wicket and bowl really well!” he wrote.

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Sachin Tendulkar pens special note to son Arjun after LSG debut

Meanwhile, Sachin Tendulkar shared a heartfelt message for his son on Instagram. 

"Well done, Arjun. Proud of the way you’ve carried yourself through this season, always believing in your ability, staying patient, working hard quietly, and remaining positive despite having to wait for your opportunity till the very last match," the former batsman wrote.

"Cricket tests patience as much as skill, and you handled both beautifully today. Keep your feet on the ground, and continue being in love with the game like you always have. Love you always."

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A post shared by Sachin Tendulkar (@sachintendulkar)

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The Cricket News Opinion: Let Arjun be judged on his own terms

Arjun Tendulkar will never escape the shadow of his father's name; that is simply the reality of carrying one of sport's most famous surnames. But Saturday was a reminder that the work behind the scenes has been serious and sustained. One game does not make a career, but it was a solid first step.

“Look at the fast-bowling depth in the LSG squad, yet Arjun managed to get a debut game," Ashwin said.  "That tells you the story of their season. Had things gone according to plan, he probably would not have played, and I said that at the start. But now that he has got his chance and proved himself, I hope he goes on to play more games.”

The next season, he must aim to be one of the regulars rather than being a bench-warmer. 

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