[Watch] Sachin Tendulkar's' Life-Sized Statue Unveiled At Wankhede Stadium
Sachin Tendulkar is arguably the greatest batsman to have played the game (Twitter)
In an evocative tribute to one of cricket's all-time greats, Wankhede Stadium unveiled a magnificent life-sized statue of Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday, casting in bronze the legacy of a man whose bat spoke a universal language.
'God of Cricket' immortalized in bronze at Wankhede
The grand gesture comes a day before Team India's pivotal match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the iconic stadium.
Amidst a stunning atmosphere, Tendulkar, often referred to as the 'God of Cricket', was in attendance, flanked by his wife Anjali and daughter Sara. Prominent personalities, including Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde and BCCI secretary Jay Shah, graced the inauguration ceremony.
The effigy, elegantly capturing Tendulkar's trademark lofted drive, finds its pride of place adjacent to the Sachin Tendulkar stand at the Wankhede. This venue isn't just another cricket ground for Tendulkar but a place where he achieved his childhood dream - clinching the World Cup for India in 2011.
The magnificent piece of art is the handiwork of renowned Maharashtra-based sculptor Pramod Kamble. It's worth noting that Tendulkar was previously commemorated at Madame Tussauds with a wax statue in 2009, making him the first Indian sportsperson to achieve that honour.
Almost a decade has passed since Tendulkar's emotional farewell game at the Wankhede, where he donned the Indian jersey for the last time in November 2013 against the West Indies. The statue not only serves as a tribute to his exceptional career but also as an inspiration for future generations.
Tendulkar's staggering record remains untouched. He has 34,357 runs across all formats from 1989 to 2013 and is the only cricketer to score 100 international centuries.
 "Jatin")
