In an interview with journalist Ravish Bisht, former India cricketer Yograj Singh has weighed in on Arjun Tendulkar’s ongoing struggle to establish himself in Indian cricket, offering a revealing account of his brief but impactful time coaching the young all-rounder in Goa. Yograj believes Arjun’s true potential lies not with the ball, but with the bat, a direction he feels has been overlooked.

Arjun, the son of batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, has endured a difficult phase in domestic cricket. A bowling all-rounder by role, he has failed to make a strong impression in recent tournaments, including the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. Despite moving from Mumbai to Goa in search of greater opportunities, consistency has continued to evade him.

In the IPL, Arjun is set for another fresh chapter. Previously part of the Mumbai Indians franchise, he will represent the Lucknow Super Giants in the 2026 season after being traded just ahead of the mini-auction. Whether he earns a regular spot in LSG's playing XI remains uncertain.

Amid growing scrutiny, Yograj Singh has questioned the way Arjun has been developed. Speaking candidly, Yograj said Arjun was being pushed in the wrong direction. “Why are you paying so much attention to his bowling?” Yograj remarked, addressing the coaching setup. “What are all these coaches doing? He is basically a batsman.”

Yograj then shared a detailed account of Arjun’s stint under his guidance during the Ranji Trophy in Goa. According to him, both Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh personally requested that he look after Arjun during a 12–13-day training period.

“When he came to me here in Goa, they told me, ‘Take care of him,’ and I said, ‘Don’t worry,’” Yograj recalled. Initially concerned about Arjun’s bowling workload, Yograj even took him for a medical check-up, which confirmed there were no injury issues.

What surprised Yograj, however, was Arjun’s reluctance to bat. “I told him to pad up and bat, but he said, ‘No, sir, don’t make me bat,’” Yograj said. Curious, he insisted on seeing Arjun bat in the nets.

“What I saw shocked me,” Yograj explained. “I told him where to punch, where to hit and he was doing it all. I told the coach, ‘You don’t make this man bat?’ He said, ‘Sir, what can he do?’ I said, ‘Listen to me. This boy is a batsman of great quality.’”

Yograj went on to claim that Arjun’s batting technique reminded him strongly of his father. “He bats like Sachin used to bat. You should make him bat,” he said. Following that assessment, Yograj ensured Arjun spent two to three hours batting in the nets every day.

According to Yograj, the results were immediate. After returning from Goa, Arjun went on to score a century in his very first Ranji Trophy match. “After 12 days, he played his first Ranji match and scored a hundred. Am I right?” Yograj said, asserting that the evidence spoke for itself.

As Arjun Tendulkar looks to revive his career across formats and franchises, Yograj Singh’s comments have reignited debate over whether the young cricketer’s development has been misdirected and whether a shift in focus could finally unlock his potential.

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