Sachin Tendulkar is all set to be honoured with a life-size statue at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. It is likely to be unveiled either on his 50th birthday – on April 24, 2023 – or during the ICC World Cup later this year.
It will be a fitting venue, as India won the World Cup at the Wankhede in 2011, and Tendulkar was part of the winning XI. Also, he played his final international game – his 200th Test – there.
Tendulkar, a Bharat Ratna, said he was pleasantly surprised with the idea. “The president is here, Mr. Kale and the other committee members are going to join us in a while,” he told ANI. “We have come here to identify a spot. The idea was shared with me, and as I said it is a pleasant surprise. My career had started here and this is like the completion of a big circle.
"It's been a journey with unbelievable memories and the best moment of my cricketing career came here when we won the World Cup in 2011. The reason that happened was a long time ago when [Ramakant] Achrekar sir (Sachin's coach) reprimanded me and from there on, I became a serious cricketer. The last international game I played at this very ground. So, it's very special and a great moment for me."
He already has a stand named after him at the Wankhede Stadium.
"It will be the first statue in Wankhede Stadium; we will decide where it will be placed. He (Tendulkar) is a Bharat Ratna and everyone knows what he has done for cricket. As he turns 50, it will be a small token of appreciation from the MCA. I spoke to him three weeks ago and his consent was received," Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president Amol Kale told The Indian Express.
The Wankhede has been a happy hunting ground for Tendulkar. He has scored 455 runs in 11 ODIs at an average of 41.36, including one century and three fifties. In Tests, Tendulkar has 847 runs from 10 Tests at an average of 47.05.
