The Mumbai Cricket Association is paying a grand tribute to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, unveiling a life-sized statue in his honour at the Mumbai Maestro’s former home ground – Wankhede Stadium – as a special gift to the Indian batter on his 50th birthday which was earlier this year in April. The statue is set to be unveiled on Wednesday, ahead of Team India’s seventh match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match at the same venue against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
The masterfully crafted statue, which portrays Tendulkar in the midst of a cricketing stroke, is strategically placed beside the Sachin Tendulkar stand. Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the maestro Tendulkar himself, BCCI’s Jay Shah and Ashish Shelar, along with top brass from the Mumbai Cricket Association including President Amol Kale and Secretary Ajinkya Naik, are all set to grace the inauguration event.
#WATCH | Maharashtra | Final touches being given to the statue of Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar at Wankhede Stadium. The statue has been installed by MCA (Maharashtra Cricket Association) near Sachin Tendulkar Stand at the stadium. The statue is dedicated to the 50 years of his_ pic.twitter.com/w1BmTJNsuJ
— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2023
Crafted by renowned painter-sculptor Pramod Kamble of Ahmednagar, the statue commemorates Tendulkar’s last international appearance at his beloved Wankhede Stadium, which was against the West Indies in a Test series in November 2013, almost a decade ago.
Tendulkar played in 11 ODIs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and scored 455 runs at an average of 41.36 with 1 century to his name. Overall, Tendulkar scored 18,426 runs from 463 matches at an average of 44.83 with 49 centuries in this format.
He also played in 11 Tests at the same venue, scoring 921 runs at an average of 48.47 with one century and 8 fifties and top-score of 148. Overall, Tendulkar ended his Test career with 15,921 runs from 200 Tests at an average of 53.79 with 51 centuries.
Stay tuned for more updates from Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Sachin Tendulkar’s last World Cup game in Wankhede
Sachin Tendulkar’s last World Cup game at the Wankhede Stadium was the 2011 ODI World Cup final against Sri Lanka. Tendulkar was dismissed for 18 off 14 balls by Lasith Malinga, falling caught behind. But India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets with skipper MS Dhoni smashing an iconic six as Team India became ODI World champions for the second time in their history.
India’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match against Sri Lanka will be repeat of that memorable 2011 World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium. Before that the giant life-size statue of Tendulkar will be unveiled at the Wankhede.
Sachin Tendulkar statue to display his shot off Shane Warne
The framework of the Sachin Tendulkar statue depicts his famous lofted shot off Shane Warne at the Wankhede Stadium and will be positioned next to the stand named after the ‘Master Blaster’ himself. The statue will be 22 feet high structure.
Pramod Kamble, the designer of the statue, said he met Tendulkar to discuss whether he wanted a standing pose or an action one, and he wanted the latter.
The Sachin Tendulkar statue at the Wankhede Stadium. pic.twitter.com/h0lltjSeXn
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 1, 2023
Brother Ajit Tendulkar’s role in Sachin Tendulkar Statue
Sachin Tendulkar’s elder brother Ajit Tendulkar played a major role in the development of the statue, sculptor Kamble to Rev Sports website.
“We had discussed a few shots and celebrations at length, but zeroed in on this. I ordered special clay from Japan for the model which was to be approved for the main statue. It took me eight months, multiple meetings with Ajit sir and then with the MCA authorities for the final model to be approved. Ajit sir was extremely helpful in explaining to me the importance of balance in boot shape and positioning, and the bat as well. How the gloves should be and minor details. Without him, this wouldn’t have been possible,” Kamble told Rev Sports webite.
Wankhede Set For India Game
The Wankhede Cricket Stadium is set to host the India vs Sri Lanka game on Thursday (November 2). Rohit Sharma and co will look to continue their winning run in the World Cup against Kusal Mendis’ Sri Lanka. Legend of the game, Sachin Tendulkar can also visit the game after his statue got unveiled at the iconic cricket ground.
#SachinTendulkar statue unveiling ceremony in Wankhede stadium Mumbai in few minutes time. pic.twitter.com/PcJY4Z3dnA
— Vimal (@Vimalwa) November 1, 2023
Statue Unveiling About To Start
The Sachin Tendulkar statue unveiling is about to start in a few minutes and the stadium is set with fans ready to take the first official glimpse at the legend’s statue. Sachin Tendulkar has given a lot to Indian cricket and the Mumbai association are ready to make another gesture for his contribution to Indian cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar Statue Unveiled
The statue of Sachin Tendulkar has been unveiled at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. A lot of fans were gathered for the historic moment and the video of the celebration is above.