Sachin Tendulkar also rang the Lord's bell before the start of the day's play.
A portrait of Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar was unveiled in the MCC Museum before play commenced on the opening day of the England vs. India Men’s third Test match at Lord’s on Thursday (July 10). Stuart Pearson Wright's portrait will stay at the museum until later this year, when it will be moved to the Pavilion.
Many people consider Tendulkar to be among the best batters in history. Tendulkar scored 34,357 runs in Test matches, ODIs, and T20Is for India throughout his 24-year international career, which ran from 1989 to 2013.
The portrait was painted from a photograph taken by the artist in Tendulkar’s home in Mumbai 18 years ago. This marks the fifth portrait of an Indian player in MCC’s Collections, with four of them (Kapil Dev, Bishan Bedi, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Tendulkar) painted by Pearson Wright.
“It’s a huge honour. In 1983, when India won the World Cup, it was my first introduction to Lord’s. I saw our captain, Kapil Dev, lift the trophy. That moment ignited my cricketing journey. Today, with my portrait going up inside the Pavilion, life feels like it’s come full circle. When I reflect on my career, it brings a smile to my face. This is truly special,” Sachin Tendulkar said to MCC.
“I first visited Lord’s as a teenager in 1988, and returned in 1989 with the Star Cricket Club team. I remember standing near the pavilion, soaking in the history and dreaming quietly. Today, to have my portrait unveiled at this very place is a feeling that’s hard to put into words. Life has truly come full circle. I’m grateful and filled with wonderful memories,” Tendulkar posted while sharing the post on X.
Sachin Tendulkar also got the honor of ringing the Lord’s Ground bell before the first day’s play for the third Test between England and India commenced at the Lord’s.
For those who are unaware, the bell is situated outside the Pavilion's bowler's bar. A legend is typically called to ring the bell by the MCC's administration. On each of the five days of the match, the bell is rung five minutes before the commencement of play.