Indian film actor and director Farhan Akhtar has come out in support of Arjun Tendulkar after the young all-rounder became subject of nepotism trolling for being bought by the Mumbai Indians (MI) at IndiaN Premier League (IPL) 2021 auction recently in Chennai.
The players' auction for the 14th season of the IPL 2020 took place in Chennai on February 18 – where Arjun, son of legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, was the last player to be auctioned in this year's bidding with Mumbai Indians buying the youngster for his base price of 20 Lakhs.
When Arjun’s name came up, MI’s bowling coach Zaheer Khan quickly put his paddle up and snapped up the left-arm pacer with the defending champions being the only team that bid for him at the IPL auction 2021 – the signing raised several eyebrows and being called a 'product of nepotism' on social media.
As the all-rounder has been subjected to heavy criticism on the internet, the all-in-one actor, director, playback singer and producer defended Jr. Tendulkar’s selection in the Mumbai Indians by saying “to throw the word ‘nepotism’ at him is unfair & cruel” since he is extremely focused on becoming a “better cricketer”.
The actor also revealed that Arjun and he go to the same gym and he knows how the young cricketer works hard on his fitness while urging everyone not to destroy his enthusiasm before he begins his career.
Akhtar wrote on Twitter: “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.”
(With ANI Inputs)
