Arjun Tendulkar makes it to India U-19 team for Sri Lanka tour

The Indian team list will once again have the famous Tendulkar surname back as legendary Sachin Tendulkar's son Arjun was included in U-19 side for the two four-day games against Sri Lanka.

Standing at 6ft 1inch, the 18 year old Arjun is a left arm fast bowler and a handy lower middle order batsman.

Two India U-19 squads were announced today in Bengaluru with Anuj Rawat and Aryan Juyal leading the side.

However, an innocuous selection meeting became interesting as the three member selection committee comprising Ashish Kapoor, Gyanendra Pandey and Rakesh Parikh selected Tendulkar junior for the longer version.

Arjun with his tally of 18 wickets from five Cooch Behar Trophy (National U-19) games is 43rd in the list of wicket-takers for the season. He had one five wicket haul (5/95) against MP.

Incidentally, Himachal Pradesh's Ayush Jamwal (50 wickets) is not in any of the teams as he is now over age.

"There is a clear direction from BCCI and coach Rahul Dravid that those who will surpass 19 by this year should not be selected even if they have performed. Let them play Ranji Trophy according to Rahul. So a lot of boys ahead of Arjun are disqualified," a senior BCCI official told PTI today.

However, Harsh Tyagi (49 wickets), a left-arm spinner from Delhi is in both the squads.

When a source close to the selection committee was asked how Arjun despite being 43rd in the wicket takers list made the cut, he explained: "If you look at the List, Arjun is the only genuine quick bowler who has more than 15 wickets. Most of the bowlers above him are spinners with only Ajay Dev Goud (33 wickets) being a genuine all-rounder. He is a slow medium bowler while Arjun is quick bowler."
"A lot of people don't know U-19 zonals are happening at Una and Arjun has done well there."
Asked if the youngster will be under pressure, the senior official said: "He is eyeing to become a professional cricketer. He is another member of this Indian squad and he will have to perform. The selectors have given him a chance looking at his potential."