Considered by many the God of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar is set to get a life-size statue at the Wankhede stadium during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The marquee tournament returns to India after 12 years when the Men in Blue lifted the trophy after a 28-year draught. Tendulkar was an integral part of the team and ended the tournament as the highest run-scorer.
Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president Amol Kale announced the news on Tuesday. This will be the first statue to be installed at the iconic stadium. Kale confirmed that the statue will be revealed during the World Cup and will be situated outside the MCA lounge on a circular platform.
With this statue, MCA will also celebrate the Golden Jubilee year of the Master Blaster. But this is not the first a life-size statue has been erected honouring a cricketer. So far three different statues of India’s Test captain Colonel CK Nayudu have been created. These installations are located at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) stadium in Nagpur, and the VDCA stadium in Andhra.
The Little Master was present when MCA president Amol Kale made the announcement. Tendulkar was captivated by this decision and spoke about how it was here, at the Wankhede stadium, he played his first Ranji Trophy match. He also described the statue as a full-circle moment as he started his incredibly cricketing journey here.
Sachin Tendulkar said, "This decision is a pleasant surprise for me, 1998 is when it all started at the Wankhede. The journey started here for me. Played my first Ranji match here. Long ago, Achrekar sir reprimanded me here and from thereon I became a serious cricketer. I played my last match at this very venue. Life has come full circle for me here. I have wonderful memories of this place, some memorable and some not-so-good. It's a big moment for me."
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