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SRT Forever: Master Blaster immortalised with statue at Wankhede

By Mumbai Indians

Born, bred and immortalised. Mumbai’s favourite son, Sachin Tendulkar, will be an everlasting presence at the Wankhede Stadium after his statue was unveiled at his home ground.

“It is indeed a special moment for me,” said the 50-year-old Tendulkar following the unveiling. “I’m truly humbled...Standing here brings back so many memories.”

Earlier Sachin was surrounded by photographers, television personnel and police and was welcomed onto the outfield by a band playing traditional Indian dhol.

At the push of a button, the 22 feet high installation - created by Ahmednagar-based painter-sculptor Pramod Kamble - was unveiled amid fireworks and cheers of SACHINNNN SACHINNNN.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by Sports Minister Sanjay Bansode, former BCCI and ICC chief Sharad Pawar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, BCCI Treasurer Ashish Shelar, along with Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officials - President Amol Kale and secretary Ajinkya Naik among others.

The bronze statue will stand adjacent to the Sachin Tendulkar Stand at the Wankhede Stadium. The symbolic tribute has Sachin play a memorable sixer shot in a lofted drive pose, with his left leg extended, body slightly bent, head high and the bat pointing at the sky, and it comes almost a decade after the cricket icon last took the field for an international match for India in November 2013.

In March, Sachin was invited to pick where his statue would be stationed. “The MCA committee guided me, and in the area outside the MCA lounge, there will be a roundabout which will be created, and the statue will come up there. The background will be the stadium, and all our actions happened there (inside the ground). It is one spot, a crowd can come and get pictures clicked, and at the same time, it is accessible,” Tendulkar said to news publication Indian Express after finalising the place.