Sachin Tendulkar: Master Blaster's life-size bronze statue unveiled at Wankhede; Watch

The statue has been installed by MCA near Sachin Tendulkar Stand at the stadium (Pic: ANI/AFP)

Legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar's life-size statue was unveiled at the Wankhede Stadium on the eve of India's ICC World Cup 2023 league stage clash against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) President Amol Kale, Rajya Sabha member Sharad Pawar, and Sachin's wife Anjali Tendulkar, daughter Sara Tendulkar, and brother Ajit Tendulkar were present during the unveiling of the statue.

The statue is dedicated to 50 years of Tendulkar's life and has been installed by MCA near Sachin Tendulkar Stand at the stadium, and it was unveiled today.

Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary, popular Team India supporter and a fan of Sachin, was also present during the ceremony. He blew a conch shell and waved the Indian flag during the unveiling.

With 34,357 runs in 664 international appearances at an average of 48.52, Sachin is the highest run-scorer in international cricket. He has scored 100 centuries and 164 half-centuries, most in international cricket. He is the only player to have a century of centuries.

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With 18,426 runs in ODIs and 15,921 runs in Tests, Sachin also has the highest runs in both formats. He is the first player to hit an ODI double hundred and to have played 200 Test matches. He also has 201 international wickets to his name, making him a very useful part-time spin bowling option. With a total of 664 international appearances, he is the most-capped player of all time. He is part of the Indian Team which won the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011.

Sachin has played six IPL seasons from 2008-2013, all for Mumbai Indians, where he has scored a total of 2334 runs in 78 matches at an average of 34.84. Sachin has 13 fifties and one hundred under his belt, hitting 29 sixes and 295 fours with a strike rate of 119.82. He won the 2013 edition of the tournament with the franchise as a player.

Sachin's best performance came in IPL 2010. He scored 618 runs in 15 matches at an average of 47.53 at a strike rate of 132.61. He scored five fifties that season and his best individual score was 89'. He won the 'Orange Cap' that season. MI finished as runners-up that season.

(With inputs from agencies)