Media365
Arjun Tendulkar is set for a fresh start in the IPL after being traded from the Mumbai Indians to the Lucknow Super Giants, one of the more notable moves following the announcement of franchise retentions. The left-arm bowling all-rounder shifts base after two seasons with MI, opening the door to a new coaching group, a different dressing-room environment, and an opportunity to reboot his career. Arjun first entered the IPL in 2021 when Mumbai signed him for Rs 20 lakh at the mini-auction. Although he travelled with the squad to the UAE as a net bowler during IPL 2020, he did not appear in any matches that year. MI bought him again at the 2022 mega-auction, this time for Rs 30 lakh, despite competition from the Gujarat Titans who also made a bid. Expectations of a debut in 2022 did not materialise.
His long-awaited debut finally arrived in 2023. Across four matches, he picked up 3 wickets while giving away 92 runs from 59 deliveries and added 13 runs with the bat. While he showed glimpses of promise, MI’s depth in fast bowling made it difficult for him to get consistent game time. The move to Lucknow does not alter his salary. LSG have retained his existing contract of Rs 30 lakh for IPL 2026, the same amount he has been earning since the 2022 mega-auction. This places him among the more economical all-round options in the league, especially with his ability to bowl in the powerplay and contribute at the lower order.
