The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) will install a life-size statue of former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar at the Wankhede stadium here. His would be the third statue in the stadium, after those of Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar.
The legendary batsman, who scored 6868 runs in Tests and 3508 in ODIs, turned emotional when the news was conveyed to him. “It’s a great moment for me and I have no words to express my feeling. MCA has given me everything, it has made me who I’m today,” he told The Indian Express.
“I started my cricketing journey at the age of 12 and went on to play for various clubs, team. Mumbai gave me the platform and encouragement throughout my career. My journey is incomplete without my teammates, the Mumbai players whom I have played with. I’m really thankful to MCA for honouring me with a statue,” added Vengsarkar,
Apart from featuring in 116 Tests and 129 ODIs, he also served as the national team’s chairman of selectors. The high point was spotting Virat Kohli and fast-tracking him to the national side. Besides, he also served as vice-president of MCA and was also the member of Apex Council of BCCI, representing Indian Cricketers Association. Three years ago, MCA had named a stand after him at the Wankhede Stadium
The MCA will hold a function to honour him. MCA president Ajinkya Naik said: “The decisions taken by the Apex Council reflect our commitment to both cricketing excellence and social responsibility. Honouring Vengsarkar with a statue at Wankhede is a tribute to one of Mumbai’s greatest cricketing icons. His contribution for Mumbai and Indian cricket is immense be it as a player, selector or administrator. Till date he follows grass route cricket and he keeps eye on young talent.”
In another decision, MCA will establish cricket academies across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to provide world-class training and infrastructure to promising young players. MCA will donate ₹One Crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The Mumbai cricketers will collectively contribute ₹25 lakhs towards the same cause after unseasonal rain has damaged farming across Maharashtra.
