A life-sized wax statue of Indian batting maestro, Sachin Tendulkar was unveiled at the Sydney Cricket Ground amidst cheering cricket fans on Saturday.
The statue was revealed a few days ahead of the Little Master's 40th birthday on 24 April.
"It is nice that it coincides with my birthday. It's a wonderful way to start," Sachin Tendulkar told MID Day when asked of the statue, a replica of the one at the London's Madam Tussauds.
"The SCG is my favourite ground - without any doubt, so it makes it even more special. I have some wonderful memories of that ground."
The statue has Sachin in blue Indian Jersey and hands raised with helmet and bat as a mark of victory.
The cricket legend's statue will gradually be placed along with the statues of Sir Donald Bradman and Shane Warne in Sydney's Madame Tussauds Museum.
"It's an absolute honour. Both (Bradman and Warne) are absolute champions. To be in the same company is special," added Tendulkar.
Tendulkar, presently engaged in the Indian Premiere League, could not be present during the unveiling of the statue.
It has been speculated that Tendulkar, who has retired from One Day International cricket (ODI), might as well step down from test cricket marking an end to a remarkable international cricket career spanning 23 years.
He made his test debut in 1989 and holds the record of most runs in test cricket and ODIs, and has 100 centuries under his belt.
To celebrateTendulkar's birthday, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is planning a 40-pound cake as Kolkata Knight Riders faces Sachin's Mumbai Indians on April 24th at Eden gardens, Kolkata.
