Sachin Tendulkar's son called up to Mumbai Under 16 squad

Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun has been selected for Mumbai's Under-16 team that will play Vijay Merchant Trophy’s opening match starting from December 1 in Baroda. He has been selected as an all-rounder in the 15-member squad for Mumbai Under 16's Vijay Merchant Trophy opening game starting on December 1 in Baroda.

Tendulkar junior did not play in the first two matches of the Payyade Trophy but has shown in talent in exhibition games. He scored a ton in the first innings of the Sunil Gavaskar XI v Rohit Sharma XI game, before claiming four wickets with his medium pace bowling.

Though Arjun has previously played for the U-14 team, this is the first time he has been selected for the U-16 squad. According to a report in The Indian Express, Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) joint secretary PV Shetty said, “He (Arjun) did well in the selection trials as well as the Kanga league. The selectors have picked him as an all-rounder.”

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan does not believe that being the son of Sachin Tendulkar will be a huge pressure on Arjun.

He said, “He is working hard. He is good with bat and ball. I’m told that he scored his first century this week. The pressure will be there but ultimately what he can do on the field will matter most,” he said.

The 37-year-old also feels that while judging youngsters, skill is all that matters, not age. “If someone is good enough and performing well, then they should use this platform to judge them. As a youngster you should use this platform to get noticed,” he added.

The legendary Little Master hit 51 centuries in 200 Test matches for India after making his debut in 1989 and finally retiring in 2013.