'Don’t murder his enthusiasm' - Farhan Akhtar comes out in support of Arjun Tendulkar

Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar has come out in support of Arjun Tendulkar who has been targeted by trolls after being picked at the IPL 2021 auction. Son of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, Arjun had registered himself at the auction for the very first time. Since then, he had become the talk of the town in the cricketing fraternity.

The talks have only increased after he bagged his maiden IPL contract. Arjun was the last player to be auctioned as Mumbai Indians picked him at his base price of Rs 20 lakh. Following the auction, Arjun has been targeted by the trolls on social media. While some called him a product of nepotism, some questioned his credentials for the IPL.

And as the 21-year-old faces criticism, Farhan has leaped in his defense. The Bollywood star took to Twitter to shut down the trolls as he revealed how hard the youngster works to become a better cricketer. Farhan also stated that using the word nepotism to target Arjun is unfair and cruel as he urged others not to ‘murder his enthusiasm’.

“I feel I should say this about #Arjun_Tendulkar. We frequent the same gym & I’ve seen how hard he works on his fitness, seen his focus to be a better cricketer. To throw the word ‘nepotism’ at him is unfair & cruel. Don’t murder his enthusiasm & weigh him down before he’s begun,” wrote Farhan.

I feel I should say this about #Arjun_Tendulkar. We frequent the same gym & I’ve seen how hard he works on his fitness, seen his focus to be a better cricketer. To throw the word ‘nepotism’ at him is unfair & cruel. Don’t murder his enthusiasm & weigh him down before he’s begun.

— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) February 20, 2021

Mahela Jayawardene on Arjun Tendulkar

Earlier, Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene had also defended the franchise’s decision to sign Arjun Tendulkar. The Sri Lankan great had said that the franchise bought him only because of his skills in the game. Jayawardene also stated that playing for Mumbai would help the young player to learn and evolve as a cricketer.

“We have looked at it purely on a skills-basis. There is going to be a big tag on his head because of Sachin, but luckily he is a bowler, not a batsman, so I think Sachin will be very proud if he could bowl like Arjun.

“It is going to be a learning process for Arjun. He has just started playing for Mumbai and now with the franchise, so he will learn the ropes. He will evolve, he is still young but a very focused young man, so you have to give him some time and hopefully not put lot of pressure on him either. Just let him evolve and work his way up. That is what we are there to help him do,” Jayawardene had said after the auction.

In IPL 2020, Arjun had accompanied Mumbai Indians to the UAE as a net bowler. Earlier this year, he made his debut for the senior Mumbai team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In the past, the youngster had also bowled at Team India and England players in the nets.