Statue at MCA: Sunil Gavaskar deeply touched, extremely honoured

Sunil Gavaskar. Pic/PTI

The Mumbai Cricket Association, while announcing on Thursday that its museum at the Wankhede Stadium will be inaugurated in the second half of this month, also announced that life size statues of batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and ex-MCA president Sharad Pawar will be erected at the museum's entrance.

I am deeply touched and tremendously honoured that my mother Cricket Association (MCA) has decided to have a statue of mine at the entrance of the new MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket museum at the Wankhede Stadium.

"I am deeply touched and tremendously honoured that my mother Cricket Association (MCA) has decided to have a statue of mine at the entrance of the new MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket museum at the Wankhede Stadium. I will forever be grateful to Mumbai Cricket Association for holding my hand as I took my first steps in the game and to the BCCI for then giving me the opportunity to spread my wings and fulfill the dream of representing my country in the sport. It's an honour which I will cherish for whatever is the rest of my life," said Gavaskar in a statement from London.

According to MCA president Ajinkya Naik, the former India and Mumbai captain's statue, "will serve as a powerful symbol of excellence and determination. His monumental contributions to Indian and Mumbai cricket will continue to motivate young cricketers to dream big and aim high."