Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has announced they will build a monument honoring Sachin Tendulkar at the Wankhede Stadium. When asked about how he felt about the gesture, Sachin expressed that he holds many fond memories at the Wankhede Stadium, as it was the place where he began and concluded his career. This gesture has inspired us to recognize five other Indian cricketers who merit their statues outside their home stadium.
#1 MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni is an undisputed legend and one of the greatest captains ever to have graced the game of cricket. His success as a leader saw India win multiple trophies leading India to become the top-ranked Test-playing nation. With 17,266 runs across formats, Dhoni was arguably one of India’s best batters. Even after he retires from the game in 2020, Dhoni still inspires young cricketers and recently had a statue made in his honor in Ranchi, a testament to his legacy.
#2 Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has astounded the cricketing universe with his presence on the batting side of the game, and his leadership has been remarkable. Under his helm, India has become a top contender in Test matches and has seen an impressive uptick in its win rate. With 74 centuries to his name, Kohli remains an iconic figure in the world of cricket – and a statue outside his Delhi home stadium would be a fitting tribute to such an incredible legacy.
#3 Mithali Raj
The legendary cricketer and national icon Mithali Raj has incredibly impacted Indian and international cricket. Her incredible achievements, which include scoring 10,868 runs, captaining the national side for a long time, and winning countless awards, have made her an inspirational role model for young girls everywhere.
#4 Anil Kumble
Following the resignation of Rahul Dravid in 2007, Anil Kumble stepped up to the challenge and took on the mantle of captaincy. Under his short yet successful leadership, India won a series against Pakistan. To honor his immense contribution to Indian cricket, Bangalore proudly renamed the “Oriental Circle” behind the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium after Kumble.
#5 Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev’s 256 matches for India saw him cementing himself as one of the best all-rounders of the game in history. This was famously demonstrated when he captained India to a record-breaking victory in the 1983 Prudential World Cup in England, a tournament where India was unlikely to progress beyond the group stage. Such was his skill level that India still needs to find an adequate replacement for his seam bowling ability, a testament to the magnitude of Dev as a player.
