A life-size statue of Sunil Gavaskar, one of India's most revered cricketers, has been unveiled at Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium. The statue was inaugurated on Saturday, August 23, 2025, coinciding with the opening of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum. Gavaskar's statue will greet visitors at the grand entrance of the museum, alongside a statue of Sharad Pawar, former MCA, BCCI, and ICC chief.
The statue immortalizes Gavaskar in a celebratory pose, commemorating his achievement of becoming the first batsman to score 10,000 Test runs. The pose captures the moment after a late cut against Pakistan's Ijaz Faqih in Ahmedabad in 1987. MCA President Ajinkya Naik expressed that a space has been earmarked for a future statue of Dilip Vengsarkar near Gavaskar's. The MCA also plans to conduct Wankhede Stadium tours for visitors. The museum will be officially open to the public on September 22.
Sunil Manohar "Sunny" Gavaskar, born on July 10, 1949, is widely regarded as one of the greatest opening batsmen in cricket history. Representing India and Mumbai from 1971 to 1987, he was the first to surpass 10,000 runs in Test cricket. Gavaskar is admired for his technique against fast bowling, especially against the formidable West Indies attack. In his debut Test series against the West Indies in 1971, he scored 774 runs.
Gavaskar held the record for the highest number of Test centuries (34) for almost two decades, until Sachin Tendulkar surpassed him in 2005. He was a part of India's 1983 World Cup-winning team and led India to victory in the 1985 World Championship of Cricket. In 1980, he was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year, and in 2012, he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
The Wankhede Stadium, where Gavaskar's statue stands, was built in 1974 after disputes between the Bombay Cricket Association (BCA) and the Cricket Club of India (CCI) over ticket allocations. S.K. Wankhede, a politician and secretary of the BCA, spearheaded the construction of the stadium, which was named in his honor. The stadium hosted its first Test match in the 1974-75 season, when India played against the West Indies.
Wankhede Stadium has been the venue for several memorable moments in Indian cricket history. It hosted the 2011 Cricket World Cup Final, where India defeated Sri Lanka. Sachin Tendulkar, another of India's greatest batsmen, played his last international match at this stadium. The stadium is also known for its stands named after Indian cricket legends, including Gavaskar and Tendulkar.
Gavaskar, in an official statement, expressed his happiness at seeing the museum, stating that young players would find inspiration in the stories and history preserved there. Gavaskar said he has always considered himself a student of cricket history and learned from books and magazines. He was overwhelmed after his statue was unveiled during the inauguration.
The inauguration of Gavaskar's statue and the Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum is a testament to the enduring legacy of Indian cricket and the contributions of its most iconic figures. The museum will be open for the public on September 22, 2025.
