Sachin Tendulkar, an acclaimed cricketing legend, known as one of the sport’s greatest batsmen, is soon to receive a monumental honor at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium. A 22-foot statue of the cricket icon will be unveiled on November 1, coinciding with the India-Sri Lanka ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match.

Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to Attend

Tendulkar, boasting an illustrious career with records like 15,821 Test runs and 18,426 ODI runs, will grace the unveiling ceremony. Distinguished figures, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, will attend as the chief guest and guest of honor. Prominent representatives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will also be in attendance.

The statue, portraying a 50-year-old Tendulkar delivering a straight-six off Australian legend Shane Warne, was crafted by the renowned painter-sculptor Pramod Kale. This grand tribute to the cricketing icon aims to inspire future generations of cricketers and carry forward Sachin Tendulkar’s legacy in Mumbai Cricket.

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Wankhede Stadium holds a special place in Tendulkar’s heart, serving as the venue for his emotional farewell in November 2013 during his 200th and final Test match. Tendulkar’s deep-rooted connection with Mumbai, where he was born and raised and developed his cricketing skills under the late Ramakant Achrekar’s guidance, makes this honor all the more significant.

This life-size statue is a befitting tribute to a cricketing legend whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the sport, destined to inspire aspiring cricketers and fans worldwide. Sachin Tendulkar’s remarkable journey in the realm of cricket has been a beacon of inspiration for millions, and this statue at Wankhede Stadium symbolizes the celebration of his enduring legacy and extraordinary career in the sport.

A life-size statue of the living legend Sachin Tendulkar is set to be installed at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. It will be a gesture by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to pay homage to the local boy who went on to conquer the world with his batting skills.

“It will be the first statue in Wankhede Stadium, we will decide where it will be placed,” Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president Amol Kale told The Indian Express.

“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,” Kale said.

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Sachin Tendulkar statue to be unveiled on April 23

Although it is still to clear in which are of the iconic Wankhede Stadium, where Tendulkar played his last international match, will be placed; the officials have targeted April 23 as the day for the statue to be unveiled. April 23 will mark Tendulkar’s 50th birthday.

The batting maestro, incidentally, already has a stand named after him at the Wankhede. Apart from him, the MCA had honoured the former India captain Sunil Gavaskar with a corporate box and batting ace Dilip Vengsarkar with a stand. However, Former India great C K Nayudu is among the few Indian cricketers to have a life-size statue in the country.

Tendulkar recorded most hundreds (100) and runs (34,357) in his illustrious career.