One of the most talked-about player trades ahead of IPL 2026 involves a name that carries enormous weight in Indian cricket — Arjun Tendulkar. The left-arm medium-fast bowler has been traded from Mumbai Indians to Lucknow Super Giants for a cash consideration of ₹30 lakh, ending a five-year association with the franchise his father Sachin Tendulkar is most associated with. The Trade Details The trade was confirmed ahead of the IPL 2026 retention deadline in November 2025. Arjun Tendulkar moves to Lucknow Super Giants at his existing fee of ₹30 lakh. This is a straightforward all-cash deal with no player swap involved. LSG have been quietly assembling a strong pace bowling unit for IPL 2026 and Arjun fits their needs as a left-arm seam bowling option. Arjun Tendulkar's IPL Journey at Mumbai Indians
Arjun Tendulkar was first picked by Mumbai Indians at the 2021 IPL auction, where he was bought for ₹20 lakh. He made his IPL debut for MI in 2023, becoming the first son of an IPL title-winning player to play in the league. His debut was a moment of enormous emotional significance — wearing the same blue jersey as his father did during MI's five title-winning campaigns.
During his time at MI, Arjun primarily served as a net bowler and backup seamer. He played limited matches but showed glimpses of genuine pace and the ability to swing the new ball. His left-arm angle and ability to move the ball both ways made him an interesting prospect for any team looking to add variety to their bowling attack.
What Arjun Tendulkar Brings to Lucknow Super Giants
Lucknow Super Giants have made several smart acquisitions for IPL 2026. Adding Arjun Tendulkar to their pace attack gives them a left-arm option that can be particularly effective at the start of innings. LSG play their home matches at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, a ground that offers decent assistance to pace bowlers early on, which suits Arjun's style of bowling.
- Left-arm angle: Left-arm seamers are always valuable in T20 cricket because they create awkward angles for right-handed batters
- Swing bowling: Arjun has shown the ability to swing the new ball, which is effective in powerplay overs
- Death-over potential: Under proper coaching, his pace and variations could make him a death-over option
- Low cost: At ₹30 lakh he gives LSG excellent squad depth at minimal cost
Fantasy Cricket Impact — Should You Pick Arjun Tendulkar?
For Dream11 and fantasy cricket players, Arjun Tendulkar's trade to LSG raises an important question — does this change his fantasy value?
At his current Dream11 credit value of ₹6.5cr, Arjun remains a low-cost bowling option. However, his fantasy value is highly dependent on whether he gets consistent playing time at LSG. At Mumbai Indians he was often left out of the playing XI in favour of more experienced seamers. At LSG, there is a genuine opportunity for more game time, especially if their pace attack needs variety.
The key factors to watch before selecting Arjun Tendulkar in your Dream11 team for IPL 2026:
- Whether LSG name him in the playing XI — check confirmed lineup before team selection
- The venue — at bowling-friendly grounds like Ekana Stadium he becomes more attractive
- The opposition — against teams with predominantly right-handed top orders, his left-arm angle becomes more dangerous
- At ₹6.5cr he is only worth selecting if he is confirmed in the playing XI
Other Key IPL 2026 Trades Involving Mumbai Indians
Arjun Tendulkar was not the only player to leave Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2026. MI also traded away Shardul Thakur to LSG before acquiring him back, and lost Sherfane Rutherford from Gujarat Titans. Mumbai Indians have rebuilt their bowling attack with several new acquisitions and their squad looks competitive for IPL 2026 under Rohit Sharma's leadership.
On the other hand, Lucknow Super Giants have made multiple smart trades to build a well-rounded squad. In addition to Arjun Tendulkar, they acquired Mohammed Shami from Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹10 crore — one of the biggest and most impactful trades of the IPL 2026 cycle. With Shami leading the pace attack and Arjun providing left-arm support, LSG's seam bowling looks significantly stronger than last season.
Conclusion
Arjun Tendulkar's trade to Lucknow Super Giants is a move that benefits both parties. LSG get a low-cost left-arm seamer who adds variety to their attack. Arjun gets a fresh start at a franchise where he could get more opportunities to establish himself as a genuine IPL player in his own right — not just as Sachin Tendulkar's son.
For fantasy cricket players, keep an eye on his playing XI status for LSG matches. If he breaks into the regular lineup at LSG, his ₹6.5cr price tag could represent excellent value in the right conditions.
Follow all IPL 2026 player updates, Dream11 team predictions and fantasy tips at FourthInning. Check Arjun Tendulkar's updated player profile and LSG's full squad on our Lucknow Super Giants team page.
