Sachin Tendulkar's life-size statue to be installed at Wankhede Stadium, Master Blaster reacts

Mumbai, Feb 28: The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has decided to install a life-size statue of legendary India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar outside the Wankhede Stadium.

The Wankhede Stadium - which happens to be the home ground of the former India cricketer - will get the statue of their favourite cricketer installed on the occasion of his 50th birthday.

Tendulkar will be celebrating his 50th birthday on April 24, 2023, and the special day will be commemorated in style as the giant bust of the Master Blaster will be installed on that day.

With this, the cricketing legend, Tendulkar - who has amassed close to 35000 runs in international cricket and slammed record 100 tons in his illustrious career - is set to add another glorious feather to his cap.

Tendulkar has 200 Tests, 463 ODIs, and one T20I for India. He has aggregated 15921 Test runs and 18426 runs in ODIs.

MCA president Amol Kale told The Indian Express, "It will be the first statue in Wankhede Stadium, we will decide where it will be placed."

"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.

Humbled with the gesture of MCA, Tendulkar told ANI that the development is nothing short of a pleasant surprise.

"Well, it's a pleasant surprise. The president is here, and Mr Kale and the other committee members are going to join us in a while. We've come here to identify a spot. The idea was shared with me, and as I said it is a pleasant surprise. My career had started here and this is like the completion of a big circle," Tendulkar told ANI.

"It's been a journey with unbelievable memories and the best moment of my cricketing career came here when we won the World Cup in 2011. The reason that happened was a long time ago when [Ramakant] Achrekar sir (Sachin's coach) reprimanded me and from there on, I became a serious cricketer. The last international game I played also at this very ground so it's very special and a great moment for me."

The Wankhede Stadium will forever be etched in the memories of millions of Sachin Tendulkar fans as the iconic cricketer lifted his maiden ODI World Cup trophy in 2011 at this venue and two years later he played his last international game in the second Test match against West Indies in November 2013.