Widely regarded as one of the greatest batters of all time, Sachin Tendulkar’s statue is all set to be inaugurated at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai next month.
According to a report in The Indian Express, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) will unveil the life-size statue of Tendulkar ahead of India’s World Cup 2023 fixture against Sri Lanka at the venue on November 2.
The statue has been manufactured by a well-known artist from Mahrashtra’s Ahmednagar district.
Earlier this year, MCA president Amol Kale had said that the state organisation will honour the batting maestro with a statue during the World Cup and it will be placed near the Sachin Tendulkar stand in the stadium.
“Tendulkar is a Bharat Ratna and everyone knows what he has contributed to cricket. As he turns 50, it will be a small token of appreciation from the Mumbai Cricket Association. I spoke to him three weeks ago and received his consent on the matter,” Kale was quoted as saying by The Indian Express in February.
In a career spanning 24 years, Sachin Tendulkar represented India in 200 Tests and 463 ODIs, scoring the world record number of runs (15921 in Tests and 18426 in ODIs) and centuries (51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs).
On a separate note, free popcorn and cold drink would be offered to fans who will attend the World Cup matches at the Wankhede Stadium.
“I had proposed to provide free one time popcorn and cold drink to all fans who turn up to watch World Cup games. It will be for non-hospitality areas. Once their tickets are stamped, free popcorn and coke will be given to each fan. The MCA will bear the cost of it. We will be starting this from India vs Sri Lanka game and it will be done till the semis. The MCA Apex members have agreed to the proposal,” Amol Kale Amol said, as per The Indian Express report.
Wankhede Stadium has already hosted a couple of World Cup 2023 matches so far. After the India-Sri Lanka clash on November 2, Australia are due to face Afghanistan at the venue on November 7.
The second semi-final of the showpiece tournament will also be held at the Wankhede Stadium on November 16.
