Sunil Gavaskar's Statue Unveiled At The Wankhede Stadium By MCA

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) unveiled life-size statues of cricket administrator and politician Sharad Pawar and Indian cricket great Sunil Gavaskar, along with a museum named after Pawar on Saturday, August 23. 

The 8,000-square-foot museum, which will be open to the public very soon, includes memorabilia from former and current legends of Mumbai cricket, as well as interactive exhibits and digital tools for enhanced viewing. The museum showcases the huge legacy of Mumbai cricket, and both Powar and Gavaskar were quite elated after the honour was bestowed on them. 

"I am truly honoured to have this museum named after me,” Pawar said.  

“Mumbai's cricketing journey - from its maidans to the global stage - is a story of talent, dedication and passion. This museum celebrates that rich legacy and the many unsung heroes who have worked behind the scenes to support and grow the sport. I hope it continues to inspire future generations to carry forward the proud spirit of Mumbai cricket.”

Meanwhile, Gavaskar hoped that the picking generation of cricketers could benefit from the resources in the museum, which also includes a lot of cricket books that are part of the Kanga League library. 

"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,” Gavaskar remembered. 

“We learned from reading, from autobiographies, and from the written word. That's why 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 in the stories and history preserved here," Gavaskar added. 

The Wankhede also saw Sachin Tendulkar’s statue come up a few months ago, and along with the museum in the stadium complex, it now offers a lot of history lessons on Indian cricket, along with being a fully functional international cricket venue. 

Image credit: MCA