MCA museum to incorporate life-size statues to honor Sunil Gavaskar & Sharad Pawar

In a major development, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), on Thursday, announced the establishment of two life-size statues to honor the Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and veteran administrator Sharad Pawar. The statues will be built outside the entrance of the MCA museum, which is due to open in the month of August. 

Set to open at some point during August, the museum will give viewers a deep dive into the city's glorious cricketing past and honor those who played an instrumental role in redefining the legacy of Mumbai cricket. The key figures who are held in very high regard while speaking of cricketing excellence within MCA are none other than Gavaskar and Pawar.  Their contribution to the game, both at the national and international levels, can't be overlooked.  

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MCA set to pay tribute to their cricket warriors

In a recent statement released by the MCA, the governing body confirms the deployment of the life-size statues and the entrance of the museum once it becomes operational later this month.  The statement reads as follows.  

"At the museum's entrance, visitors will be welcomed by life-size statues of Shri Sharad Pawar and cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, who remains one of Mumbai's and India's most iconic sporting figures."

Moreover, MCA president Ajinkya Naik took the opportunity to address the two sporting icons on a more personal level. While lauding the rich legacy of the duo, Naik commented that these coveted statues embolden the visionary mindset and cricketing prowess of the two individuals and will serve as a source of inspiration for countless generations to come. 

"Heartfelt tribute to the stalwarts of Mumbai cricket and a testament to the visionary leadership of Shri Sharad Pawar. The statue of Shri Sunil Gavaskar, one of India's greatest cricketing legends, 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."  

Gavaskar gave his immediate reaction to this development and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the MCA for honoring him in such a prestigious manner. 

"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."

Both Gavaskar and Pawar are well-known figures within Mumbai's cricketing circuit. Gavaskar, with 35 international centuries and 81 FC centuries, is one of the finest batting talents ever to be produced in world cricket. As for Pawar, the veteran cricket personality serves as the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) and has also served in top administrative roles for the MCA, BCCI, and the International Cricket Council (ICC).