Why didn't Mumbai give Arjun Tendulkar a chance in their XI? Shane Bond answers!

Arjun Tendulkar didn't play a game in the Indian T20 League for the second consecutive season in 2022. The Jr. Tendulkar was bought by Mumbai last year. While he was trolled by netizens, the youngster was expected to play every game of the Indian T20 League 2021. However, two seasons have gone by and he hasn't played a single game. Thus, he has been warning the bench for the last two editions

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In fact, he was expected to play a few games during the 2022 edition as the five-time winners were crashed out of the playoffs race. However, the Tendulkar scion didn't play a game while some of the youngsters like Kumar Kartikeya and Hrithik Shokeen got the opportunity to showcase their talent. Meanwhile, the team's bowling coach Shane Bond has explained why Arjun didn't get to play a single game till now.

The legend started with saying that being part of the squad is one thing and making it to the playing XI is another. The former New Zealand pacer said that the 22-year-old needs to work on his fielding and batting to make earn his spot in the playing XI. The Kiwi hopes that the Mumbai player makes the progressions and earn his spot in the playing XI.

“He’s got some work to go. When you’re playing for a team like Mumbai, making the squad is one thing but entering the playing XI is another. He still has a lot of hard work and development to do. When you play at this level, there’s a fine line between giving everyone a game… but you have to earn your spot too. Arjun needs to work on his batting and fielding before finding a place on the team. Hopefully, he can make those progressions and earn a spot in the team,” Bond told Sportskeeda. Talking about the left-arm medium-pacer, he has reached this level after playing for the U14, U16, and U19 teams of Mumbai. He has also played for Marylebone Cricket Club.