Rare video of Arjun Tendulkar bowling to Virat Kohli in nets surfaces online

Published - 07 Apr 2026, 13:54 IST | Updated - 07 Apr 2026, 14:16 IST

When India invited New Zealand for a multi-format white-ball series under Virat Kohli's captaincy, the hosts needed a left-arm pacer in the nets to help them prepare better against the likes of Trent Boult, a premier left-arm pacer. It was Arjun Tendulkar, a fast-bowling all-rounder from Mumbai, who was tasked with the job, as he bowled to the Indian batters in the nets.

Arjun was bowling to Virat, Ajinkya Rahane, and Kedar Jadhav among other Indian batters from the squad during the series that took centre stage in October 2017. However, the most interesting face-off in the nets occured when the youngster, who was only 17 years old back at the time, bowled to Virat, the legendary India batter, who was also ranked No. 1 ODI batter at that time.

A video of the same has now resurfaced and has received multiple comments, with a set of hardcore cricket fans saying that they remember the moment, while a few were surprised to realise that such an incident has actually taken place. Arjun has never bowled to Virat in a professional cricket match, but the two facing each other in the nets ahead of the first ODI at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai received a moment of warmth from the fans.

Rare moment of Arjun Tendulkar bowling to Virat Kohli in a Wankhede practice session. India needed practice against a left-arm pacer, and at that time they didn’t have one, so Arjun was bowling to the Indian team 🫡

Eventually, Arjun's hard yards to help the Men in Blue prepare for the challenge posed by the visiting BlackCaps speedsters paid off, as Virat scored a century in the series opener, smashing 121 off just 125 balls in a knock that was laced with nine boundaries and a couple of maximums. The former India captain also ended the series as the highest run-getter, with 263 runs across three innings, averaging 87.66.

Speaking more of Arjun, the left-arm pacer is currently busy plying his trade for Lucknow Super Giants in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026. He is yet to feature in a game in the season, but the fans are already excited to see what the youngster has to offer with his all-round skills for his second IPL franchise, having spent a good six seasons with Mumbai Indians.

Virat, on the other hand, is representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru as defending champions in the nineteenth edition of the marquee tournament. He started the season with a bang, scoring an unbeaten half-century against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which helped the Rajat Patidar-led side start off their 2026 campaign on a winning note.

When LSG and RCB go head-to-head, it will be intriguing to see whether Arjun bowls to Virat in their maiden face-off in a cricket match, almost nine years after the two first crossed shoulders at the Wankhede nets.