New Delhi: A fresh controversy has erupted ahead of Indian Premier League 2026 after former India cricketer Yograj Singh launched a scathing attack on Ravichandran Ashwin over his comments on Arjun Tendulkar.

The debate began after Ashwin expressed doubts about Arjun’s chances of making it into the playing XI of Lucknow Super Giants for the upcoming season.

Arjun Tendulkar’s IPL journey

Arjun, son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, recently moved to Lucknow Super Giants for ₹30 lakh in the IPL 2026 auction after spending three seasons with Mumbai Indians.

The left-arm pacer, who represents Goa in domestic cricket, has had limited opportunities in the IPL so far. He picked up three wickets in four matches during IPL 2023 but went wicketless in his lone appearance in IPL 2024.

Despite being recognised as a bowling all-rounder, Arjun is still in the early stages of his professional career and is yet to cement a regular spot in any IPL side.

Ashwin’s blunt assessment

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said Arjun is unlikely to feature in the playing XI due to intense competition within the Lucknow squad.

He pointed out the presence of established Indian pacers such as Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, and Mohammed Shami as key obstacles.

According to Ashwin, Arjun would only get an opportunity if injuries forced changes in the lineup, suggesting that the current team combination leaves little room for him.

Yograj Singh hits back

Ashwin’s remarks did not go down well with Yograj Singh, who reacted strongly and criticised the veteran spinner’s comments.

“He is talking nonsense. This guy Ashwin, whoever he is. He should know what to talk about somebody,” Yograj said in an interview, expressing his displeasure over public criticism of a young player.

Yograj, who has previously coached Arjun, also questioned the perception of him as primarily a bowler. He claimed that Arjun possesses strong batting abilities that are being overlooked.

Backing Arjun’s batting potential

Elaborating on his views, Yograj stated that Arjun should be developed more as a batter rather than being confined to a bowling role.

He recalled advising coaches to focus on Arjun’s batting, highlighting his ability to hit boundaries and sixes with ease during training sessions.

Yograj even made a bold claim, saying that if Arjun trained under him for six months, he could emerge as one of the top batters.

“I challenge the whole world that if Arjun Tendulkar spends six months with me, he will surpass all the batters,” he said, underlining his confidence in the youngster’s potential.

Selection dilemma at LSG

The situation also highlights the selection challenges faced by Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2026.

With a strong pace attack already in place, team management will have to carefully balance experience and emerging talent. For players like Arjun, opportunities may be limited unless rotation or injuries come into play.

At the same time, the spotlight remains firmly on him due to his lineage, adding pressure to perform whenever chances arise.

Conclusion

The exchange between Yograj Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin has added an extra layer of intrigue ahead of IPL 2026.

While Ashwin’s comments reflect a realistic assessment of team composition, Yograj’s defence underscores the belief in Arjun Tendulkar’s untapped potential.

As the season unfolds, the young all-rounder’s performances — if given opportunities — will ultimately determine which viewpoint holds true.