Many years ago, Jordi Cruyff spoke about his experience of playing in a Barcelona team coached by Johan Cruyff. Cruyff senior wasn’t just one of the greatest to kick a ball. He was also a European Cup-winning coach, one whose playing philosophy has been the most influential in modern football.
“On the training field, if I made a mistake then my father would have a go at me more than anyone else,” said Jordi. “He wanted to show that he wasn’t doing me any favours. I think the players respected that, but they also felt sorry for me because my father could be really mean, he could kill any player with his put-downs.”
Arjun Tendulkar is very fortunate that Sachin Tendulkar is a very different kind of legend. Sarcasm and acerbic commentary were never part of Sachin’s make-up, and his approachability was one of the reasons why so many of the juniors who played alongside him adored him. It wasn’t uncommon on tours to see him out for meals with the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan. And while they would have followed him to the ends of the Earth, there was never any question of Tendulkar throwing his weight around.
He was also extremely protective of his kids, insisting that they be given the space to grow as individuals in their own right. Arjun was seven when India toured South Africa in 2006-07, a troubled time in the country’s cricket history, with several players at loggerheads with Greg Chappell, then the coach. During a warm-up game at the Crusaders’ Ground in Durban, several kids were playing in the outfield at lunch time. Arjun was one of them, getting throw-downs from bigger kids. But his father only looked on from afar, and there was no question of Arjun being treated any differently.
If Arjun has made it to the Mumbai Indians squad, it’s only because he has excelled in his limited outings in the format. He struggled with the ball during the first-class season, but his nine T20 games have fetched him 12 wickets at an excellent economy-rate of 6.60. With the bat, he emulated his father by scoring a century on his Ranji Trophy debut, 120 against Rajasthan from No.7.
It probably isn’t a coincidence that Arjun is primarily identified as a left-arm pace bowler, which is about as far removed as you can get from what his father did. He is 23, and just making his way in the game. He deserved to be allowed to learn, fail and progress, like any other young player, without the surname constantly being used to belittle whatever he does.
Whether it’s the Goa state team or Mumbai Indians, Arjun will get the opportunities that his performances in the middle and his attitude in practice sessions merits. His coaches may have the greatest regard for Sachin, but no one is about to jeopardise a season by giving chances to a player that doesn’t deserve it. If Arjun is out there in Mumbai Indians’ blue, it’s because he has earned it. Let’s judge him by how he bowls, and what he contributes to his team. His father’s name, central as it may be to Indian cricket history, is irrelevant.