Sachin Tendulkar reacts after unveiling his statue at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium: 'Journey words can't capture'

Sachin Tendulkar holding a replica piece of his statue. (Image credit: Twitter/SachinTendulkar).

Even as India geared up to face Sri Lanka in a 2023 ICC ODI World Cup match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the day prior to the game saw a special ceremony for a special cricketer who had carried the hopes of the nation on the cricket field for 24 years.

Sachin Tendulkar was born in Mumbai, played all his junior and domestic cricket in Mumbai and later, retired from international cricket at the Wankhede Stadium in 2013. On Wednesday, a statue of the 50-year-old was unveiled at the venue in the presence of his family and other dignitaries.

Reacting to the statue unveiling at the venue, Tendulkar recalled the first time he stepped onto the Wankhede Stadium and later had some memorable moments at the venue. "I still remember our joyous chants, the camaraderie of that group, and the overwhelming support from the North Stand over the years. To think that I first stepped foot in Wankhede as a fan, then went on to be the ball boy in the '87 World Cup, lifted the 2011 World Cup, and played my last international game here – it is a journey words can't capture," Tendulkar wrote on Thursday.

This photo has a very special place in my heart. From being a 10-year-old boy who was sneaked into the North Stand with only 24 tickets for 25 eager fans, to having my statue unveiled at the iconic Wankhede, life has truly come full circle. I still remember our joyous chants, the… pic.twitter.com/Oi481ktwBP

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 2, 2023

Tendulkar played his 200th and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in November 2013.