In what may go down as one of the boldest predictions in recent cricketing discourse, former Indian cricketer Yograj Singh has drawn parallels between Arjun Tendulkar and none other than the ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle. The basis of this explosive comparison? The mentorship of Yograj’s son and two-time World Cup winner Yuvraj Singh.
The Statement That Turned Heads
Speaking to CricketNext, Yograj Singh made an emphatic suggestion: if Yuvraj mentors Arjun Tendulkar for just three months, the young left-hander could develop into a destructive batting force on the scale of Chris Gayle.
“With regards to Arjun, I said, focus less on his bowling and more on his batting. But if Yuvraj – he and Sachin are so close – takes Sachin’s son under his wings for three months, I bet he will become the next Chris Gayle,” Yograj declared.
He added that often young fast bowlers are susceptible to injuries like stress fractures that limit their bowling longevity. Therefore, investing in Arjun’s batting potential could pay long-term dividends.
From Mumbai to Goa – Arjun’s Transition
The statement carries weight not just because of the boldness of the comparison, but also because of the brief, impactful history Arjun Tendulkar has already shared with the Singh family.
Back in 2022, Arjun made headlines when he switched domestic sides from Mumbai to Goa in search of more playing time. During this transition, he trained under Yograj Singh—a period many believe helped him mentally and physically reset. Later, at Sachin Tendulkar’s request, Yuvraj Singh also took Arjun under his wing for a short period.
The results were immediate. Arjun smashed a century on debut in the Ranji Trophy, a rare feat for an all-rounder primarily known for his left-arm seam. Though their training partnership was short-lived, Yograj believes the brief spell revealed what Arjun is truly capable of when groomed in the right environment.
A Glimpse of Potential
Arjun has shown glimpses of brilliance in recent domestic seasons. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he represented Goa, and just before that, he took his maiden First-Class five-wicket haul—a remarkable 5/25 against Arunachal Pradesh. That performance followed another strong outing with 4/81 against Sikkim.
While his IPL journey with Mumbai Indians hasn’t yet taken off—he has only played six matches—it’s evident that the 24-year-old has the tools to grow. What he arguably lacks is the opportunity and mentorship to polish his raw potential.
Yuvraj’s Quiet Impact
Yuvraj Singh may be keeping a low profile post-retirement, but his work behind the scenes hasn’t gone unnoticed. He’s played a significant role in shaping Shubman Gill’s mindset and preparation—now the captain of Gujarat Titans and India’s rising batting sensation. More recently, Yuvraj has worked closely with Abhishek Sharma, another emerging star who has impressed in IPL 2025.
Yograj feels that Arjun could be the next beneficiary of Yuvraj’s cricketing wisdom—especially with the batting focus.
“Arjun should be handed over to Yuvraj for a while. He can bring out the best in him, just as he’s doing with others. If Arjun gets that same guidance and confidence boost, he could surprise a lot of people,” Yograj asserted.
Can Arjun Live Up to the Hype?
Comparing a budding cricketer to Chris Gayle—arguably one of the most destructive T20 batters of all time—is no small claim. Gayle, with over 14,000 T20 runs and a strike rate of 145+, set the gold standard for power hitting. Arjun, so far, has not been known for his explosive batting prowess, but the suggestion is clear: with focused training and confidence, he could reinvent himself.
Whether this prediction becomes reality remains to be seen, but it certainly opens up the conversation about Arjun Tendulkar’s future—not just as a bowler who bats, but perhaps as a batting all-rounder with serious firepower.
