Unarguably the greatest batsman ever to grace the cricket field - Sir Donald Bradman once compared the batting style of young Sachin Tendulkar to his own. Not just the cricket pundits agreed to it but the fans of the gentlemen's game too gave their approval to the thoughts of the 'Lord of the Cricket'. After Sir Don, Sachin Tendulkar not only established himself as his successor but also went on to become the greatest ever batsman to play the game. Now, after Tendulkar's retirement, all eyes are set on the junior Tendulkar (Arjun) to carry forward the rich legacy of his father and do justice to his last name.
And, if we go by the recent performances, the 18-year old has done a fine job and not disappoint anyone who expects him to deliver at the big stage. After impressing everyone with his showings in the well-known domestic tournament - Cooch Behar Trophy, the lanky all-rounder has delivered the goods on his first Australian outing at the historic Bradman Oval ground.
Representing Cricket Club of India, Arjun grabbed four wickets and played a quick-fire knock of 48 runs off just 27 balls against Hong Kong Cricket Club in the Spirit of Cricket Global Challenge T20 tournament on Thursday.
"I'm just so privileged to play on the ground named after Bradman, it's unbelievable," Arjun was quoted as saying by Australia's abc.net.au.
"I don't take that (attention in Australia) pressure, when I bowl I just hit the deck hard on every ball and when I bat just play my shots and choose which bowlers to take on and which bowlers not to," he added.
Earlier, Arjun had bowled at Indian batsmen during a "net" session in Mumbai before the limited-overs series against New Zealand. He had also bowled to England cricket team at Lord's last year as they prepared for Ashes series against Australia.
"All eyes were on Sachin Tendulkar's son, Arjun, when he took to the Bradman as part of a global Twenty20 series on Thursday. His father visited the historic cricket ground at Bowral in the NSW southern highlands in 2014, and ground's link with cricket's other great legend wasn't lost on the 18-year-old," the news portal wrote.
The young all-rounder picked Australian pacer Mitchell Starc and Ben Stokes as his cricket role models.
There are eight teams participating at the global event - SCG XI, Marylebone Cricket Club, Cricket Club of India, Singapore Cricket Club, Hong Kong Cricket Club, South Australian Cricket Association, and Singalese Cricket Club and Izingari. The Spirit of Cricket Global Challenge started on January 7 and will continue until 14 January.
On being asked about the advice he received from his legendary father, Arjun told Australian media, "[He says] just play fearlessly, play for your team, be a team man and give everything you've got."
