Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar was honoured with a life-size statue at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. The unveiling coincided with the inauguration of the Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
Visitors entering the stadium will now be greeted by statues of both Sunil Gavaskar and Sharad Pawar, recognising their immense contributions to the game.
Gavaskar’s Iconic Legacy
Nicknamed the Little Master, Gavaskar is regarded as one of India’s greatest-ever batters. He was part of India’s historic 1983 World Cup victory and later captained the team to the 1985 World Championship of Cricket title, where India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in the final.
In 2023, the Wankhede had also unveiled a statue of Sachin Tendulkar during the ODI World Cup, making Gavaskar the latest Indian legend to be immortalised at the iconic venue.
Gavaskar on the Museum and the Honour
Speaking at the ceremony, Gavaskar expressed pride in the initiative and reflected on his own cricketing journey:
“I must say I’ve always considered myself a student of cricket history. In our playing days, there were no videos — only books and magazines. That’s how we learned. Seeing this museum makes me genuinely happy. MCA has done a wonderful job, not just for Mumbai cricket but for Indian cricket as a whole. Young players who visit will find inspiration here.”
He added that the Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum and its digital displays will allow future generations to connect with the sport’s rich history:
“For years, I felt a museum was needed to showcase our cricketing heritage, and MCA has brought that vision to life. Technology now helps us recreate moments from before the television era, ensuring the legacy of the game is preserved.”
Gavaskar’s Record-Breaking Career
- Made his Test debut in 1971, establishing himself as one of the best opening batters in history.
- Played 125 Tests and 108 ODIs, scoring over 13,000 international runs.
- First player to cross 10,000 runs in Test cricket, reaching the milestone against Pakistan in 1987.
- Took on the world’s best attacks, including the fearsome West Indies pace quartet and legends like Hadlee, Imran Khan, Botham, and Benaud.
Preserving Cricket’s Heritage
The museum at Wankhede has already received historic donations, including Dilip Vengsarkar’s jersey from the 1976 Lord’s Test and Rohit Sharma’s bat and jersey from the 2023 ODI World Cup.
For Gavaskar, the initiative ensures that cricket’s glorious past continues to inspire generations:
“Future generations can connect with the history of the game and learn from it. That’s the true value of this museum.”
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