Xtra Time Web Desk: It was a special moment for legendary Sachin Tendulkar at the Wankhede stadium on Wednesday, November 01. The master blaster unveiled his own life size statue at the iconic venue on the eve of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 game between India and Sri Lanka. Tendulkar dedicated this special moment to all the cricketers he played with over the years.
Tendulkar was very nostalgic and emotional during his speech at the Garware Lounge. He first visited the Wankhede stadium in 1983 when he was only 10 years old. He still remembered when he travelled in a train from Bandra to Churchgate. Little Sachin was seated in the famous North Stand. In 1987 World Cup, Sachin was a ball boy at the Wankhede stadium. He still remembers another legendary cricketer from Mumbai, Sunil Gavaskar inviting him to the dressing room. Tendulkar also shared his joy of cricket being included in the Los Angeles Olympics.
The statue, a tribute to Tendulkar’s illustrious career and contribution to Indian cricket, was crafted by Pramod Kamble, a renowned painter-sculptor from Ahmednagar. The sculpture captures Tendulkar in action, playing one of his iconic cricket strokes. It stands adjacent to the Sachin Tendulkar stand within the stadium, a fitting location considering Tendulkar’s deep connection with the venue.
The unveiling program was attended by various dignitaries including Maharashtra’s chief minister Eknath Shinde, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, treasurer Ashish Shelar, along with officials from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) such as president Amol Kale, secretary Ajinkya Naik, and other members of the apex council. The stadium was filled with the famous chants of “Sachin, Sachin” as the fans got to witness the life-sized statue of the living legend of Indian cricket.