Arjun Tendulkar Lands ₹10 Lakh Deal in Mumbai T20 League Despite IPL Bench Role

Key facts

• Arjun Tendulkar was signed by ARCS Andheri for ₹10 lakh in the T20 Mumbai League auction on May 2, 2026.
• His base price was ₹2 lakh; the final price represents a 400% increase.
• He has not played a single match for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026 after being traded from Mumbai Indians.
• The Mumbai Cricket Association granted him special permission to play despite his domestic cricket commitments with Goa since 2022-23.
• His IPL salary is ₹30 lakh; the T20 Mumbai League deal is 33% of that amount.
• He will share the ARCS Andheri dressing room with Shivam Dube (retained at ₹20 lakh) and Musheer Khan (signed for ₹11 lakh).

Auction Frenzy in Mumbai

Arjun Tendulkar, the 26-year-old left-arm pacer and son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, became the center of a fierce bidding war at the T20 Mumbai League auction on May 2, 2026. Despite not having taken the field for the Lucknow Super Giants in the ongoing IPL 2026 season, his market value in his hometown proved robust. ARCS Andheri secured his services for ₹10 lakh, a 400% jump from his base price of ₹2 lakh. The auction, held in Mumbai, saw multiple franchises compete for the all-rounder, driving his price upward rapidly. The deal marks a significant financial boost for Tendulkar, who has been warming the benches in the IPL. His new salary in the local league amounts to 33% of his IPL earnings, which stand at ₹30 lakh with Lucknow Super Giants.

Regulatory Exception Paves the Way

Tendulkar’s participation in the T20 Mumbai League required special clearance from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), as he has been playing domestic cricket for Goa since the 2022-23 season. BCCI rules typically restrict players to one state-run league per year outside the IPL. However, the MCA granted an exception because Tendulkar was born in Mumbai and has not appeared in any other state-level T20 league in the past year. A similar exception was made for Siddhant Addhatrao, a wicketkeeper-batter who plays for Puducherry. The decision underscores the league’s flexibility in accommodating players with Mumbai roots who have since moved to other domestic setups. Tendulkar had played only two T20 matches for Mumbai early in his career before shifting to Goa for more game time.

ARCS Andheri’s Star-Studded Roster

At ARCS Andheri, Tendulkar joins a lineup featuring high-profile domestic and international talent. Shivam Dube, a key figure in India’s T20 World Cup triumphs in 2024 and 2026, remains the franchise’s icon player with a retention fee of ₹20 lakh. The team also signed Musheer Khan, a young all-rounder currently with Punjab Kings in the IPL, for ₹11 lakh during the same auction. The league, which began in 2018, aims to unearth local talent and provide exposure. Past champions include Triumph Mumbai Knights (2018) and North Mumbai Panthers (2019). After a five-year hiatus, the tournament returns for its fourth season, scheduled to take place in the first week of June, after IPL 2026 concludes and before the monsoon season hits Mumbai.

Tendulkar’s Domestic and IPL Record

Arjun Tendulkar has played five IPL matches, all for Mumbai Indians, taking three wickets and scoring 13 runs at a strike rate of 144. His debut came in 2023, and he played just one game in 2024, against Lucknow Super Giants, finishing with figures of 0/22 from 2.2 overs. In domestic cricket, he has been more prolific: 52 wickets in 24 First-Class matches, 26 wickets in 24 List-A games, and 35 wickets in 29 T20s. With the bat, he has scored 685 runs in First-Class cricket, 160 in List-A, and 189 in T20s. His IPL contract with Lucknow Super Giants, worth ₹30 lakh, matches the salary he earned at Mumbai Indians. He was traded to the Rishabh Pant-led side ahead of the 2026 season. Despite limited opportunities in the IPL, his domestic performances have kept him in contention.

League Landscape and Notable Players

The T20 Mumbai League features several prominent Indian cricketers as Icon Players. Among them are Suryakumar Yadav (Triumph Knights Mumbai North East), Ajinkya Rahane (North Mumbai Panthers), Shreyas Iyer (SoBo Mumbai Falcons), Yashasvi Jaiswal (Bandra Blasters), Shivam Dube (ARCS Andheri), Tushar Deshpande (MSC Maratha Royals), and Sarfaraz Khan (Eagle Thane Strikers). The most expensive pick in the auction was 31-year-old right-arm seamer Aakash Parkar, acquired by SoBo Mumbai Falcons for ₹12 lakh. The defending champions are Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals, who beat SoBo Mumbai Falcons by five wickets in the 2025 final. The league’s return after a five-year break signals renewed interest in local cricket infrastructure.

Outlook and Stakes for Tendulkar

For Arjun Tendulkar, the T20 Mumbai League represents a chance to gain match practice and showcase his skills in a competitive environment, especially after a season spent on the sidelines in the IPL. The ₹10 lakh deal, while modest compared to top IPL contracts, reflects his enduring marketability and the faith that ARCS Andheri has placed in him. His performance in the upcoming tournament could influence his future opportunities, both in the IPL and domestic cricket. With the league set to begin in June, Tendulkar will aim to translate his potential into on-field impact, under the watchful eyes of selectors and franchise scouts. The coming weeks will reveal whether this hometown opportunity reignites his career trajectory.

The bottom line

• Arjun Tendulkar’s T20 Mumbai League deal (₹10 lakh) is a 400% increase over his base price, despite no IPL game time in 2026.
• The MCA granted a special exception for him to play, as he was born in Mumbai and hasn’t played in other state leagues recently.
• He will team up with Shivam Dube and Musheer Khan at ARCS Andheri, both of whom command higher salaries.
• His IPL salary of ₹30 lakh with Lucknow Super Giants remains unchanged from his Mumbai Indians tenure.
• The T20 Mumbai League returns for its fourth season in June 2026, featuring stars like Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer.