In a grand ceremony on Saturday, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) honoured two of the city's most iconic figures, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar and veteran administrator Sharad Pawar, by unveiling life-sized statues in their likeness. The event also marked the inauguration of a new cricket museum named after Pawar, aimed at preserving and showcasing Mumbai's rich cricketing heritage for future generations.
Sunil Gavaskar was visibly moved by the tribute, particularly the unique placement of his statue right outside the new museum. "It doesn’t happen to everybody... to have a statue just outside the museum, where there’s going to be so much more footfall," Gavaskar said. "I am overwhelmed. Mumbai is like my mother, she has held my hand when I was beginning with cricket." According to MCA President Ajinkya Naik, the statue's pose is especially significant, as it depicts the very shot Gavaskar played to cross the historic milestone of 10,000 Test runs, a moment the legend personally selected from photographs sent to him by the association.
During the event, Gavaskar shared a fascinating anecdote about his lucky Dadar Union club cap, which he famously wore during the historic 1981 Melbourne Test against Australia. With India in a tough spot and Kapil Dev bowling heroically despite being unwell, a superstitious Gavaskar chose to wear his club cap instead of the national one. "I had my Dadar Union cap which was lucky, and that is the reason I wore that cap that day, not the India cap," he recalled, connecting a piece of his local club's history to one of India's most memorable overseas victories.
The newly inaugurated museum and revived Kanga League library aim to bridge the gap between cricket's past and present. The museum features a unique local touch with a small BEST bus and train section, resonating with the daily struggle that is a hallmark of every Mumbai cricketer's journey. This thoughtful inclusion aims to give visitors a deeper appreciation of the hard work behind the city's cricketing success.
Looking forward, the MCA hopes these new facilities will inspire the next generation. "It is a big day for MCA as we have managed to capture this history in one place," said Ajinkya Naik. Gavaskar, who has fond memories of reading at the old Kanga library, pledged to contribute to its revival by donating books from his personal collection, ensuring that the stories and knowledge of the game continue to be shared.
