'At a loss for words' - Sunil Gavaskar reacts to his life-size statue at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was overwhelmed and at a loss for words as his life-size statue was unveiled at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. The occasion recorded the inauguration of the MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum, with the statue of the former India captain unveiled alongside that of former BCCI and ICC president Sharad Pawar. The museum will open to the public on September 22.

Regarded as one of the greatest opening batters in cricket history, Gavaskar became the first player in history to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket, a milestone he achieved against Pakistan in Ahmedabad in 1987. Gavaskar expressed his emotions after seeing his life-size statue and dedicated the honour to his career with Mumbai cricket.

“I am actually at a loss for words because I am overwhelmed by this unique honour. It doesn't happen to everybody that there is a statue just outside the museum where there is going to be so much more footfall. The Mumbai Cricket Association, I've said in the past, is like my mother, (it) held my hand when I was beginning with cricket at the school's level, playing for Bombay schools. Thereafter as well, for Ranji Trophy etc. It's been absolutely just a privilege and an honour and a blessing to be able to play for Mumbai and I never ever dreamt that it would come to this. It took me back to that particular time when that ball was bowled and I got to the 10,000th run so yes, it brought back very good memories,” Gavaskar said when asked about the statue. This is an honour for all those with whom I played cricket in my Bhagirathi (Bai) building (during childhood in Mumbai's Tardeo), then at the school level, at the club (level), in the Ranji Trophy team and in Test cricket,” Gavaskar told the media as quoted by NDTV.

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Dadar Union taught me so much: Gavaskar

The museum will also display two of Gavaskar’s prized caps, one from Mumbai and the other from Dadar Union Sports Club, the latter holding a special place in his heart. He recalled wearing that very cap during India’s famous 1981 Test victory over Australia in Melbourne when Kapil Dev bowled through pain to secure a remarkable win.

"Dadar Union taught me so much about the fact that the game is bigger than the individual, (and) that, you do not take the game for granted, (and) that you have to keep on giving back to the game. But that cap was worn on the day we (India) beat Australia in 1981 (by 59 runs in third Test on 1980-81 tour) when Kapil (Dev) came in at Melbourne and took five wickets (5/28). He was unwell the previous day. He took painkilling injections and he came on to bowl.” "It was a touch and go situation — I am superstitious, as you probably know from now — I had my Dadar Union cap, which was lucky. That is the reason I wore that cap that day — not the India cap — because they had to score some 60-80 runs and then they had lost three wickets,” he added.