Mumbai, Nov 11: Continuing with the felicitations lined up for retiring Sachin Tendulkar, the Mumbai Cricket Association today honoured the iconic Indian batsman ahead of his 200th and final Test by naming its Kandivili Ground after him in the presence of a host of political bigwigs.
The 40-year-old veteran, who would be retiring after the second and final Test against the West Indies here from Thursday, was given a fresh round of applause by the MCA ahead of what is turning out to be an epic curtain call.
“I appreciate not just this evening but the last 24 years. Thank you for all the respect, all the love, all the care that you have showered me with,” said a beaming Tendulkar when he took to the stage amid loud cheers and applause by the attendees, including his teammates and visiting West Indian team.
“It felt special to read my name on the entry of the (MCA) club. It feels good as I am not used to it. I didn’t expect this. It was a humble experience. I thank MCA for this kind gesture,” he said, referring to the renamed Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana Club.
Tendulkar used the occasion to express his gratitude towards MCA for making its facilities available to him whenever he asked for it.
“I want to thank the MCA for making the nets available for me at any time I wanted. I just needed to make a phone call to get it,” he said.
The Mumbaikar dwelled on his cricketing career which has spanned an incredible 24 years.
“To play for India has been truly memorable. I think every step was different and every tour required different kind of preparation.
“To play for India has been truly memorable, I think every step was different and every tour required different preparations,” he said.
Tendulkar said that the MCA had accommodated his requests at odd hours, too, for practice. (PTI)
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