Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has been inducted into the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame alongside South African pace legend Allan Donald.
Joining Tendulkar and Donald in the Hall of Fame was two-time World Cup-winning Australian woman cricketer Cathryn Fitzpatrick.
“It is an honour to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, which cherishes the contribution of cricketers over generations. They have all contributed to the growth and popularity of the game and I am happy to have done my bit,” Tendulkar said at the induction ceremony.
He thanked his family and coach, who have supported him in his cricketing journey for over two-and-a-half decades.
Tendulkar was inducted immediately after becoming eligible for induction, which requires that a player should have played his last international match at least five years before.
Highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket ✅
Highest run-scorer in the history of ODI cricket ✅
Scorer of 100 international centuries 💯The term 'legend' doesn't do him justice. @sachin_rt is the latest inductee into the ICC Hall Of Fame.#ICCHallOfFame pic.twitter.com/AlXXlTP0g7
— ICC (@ICC) July 18, 2019
The 46-year-old Tendulkar is regarded as the greatest batsman to have played the game along with Sir Donald Bradman and remains the top run-accumulator in both Tests and the ODIs. He is the sixth Indian after Bishan Singh Bedi, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble, and Rahul Dravid to be bestowed in the ICC Hall of Fame.
The Master Blaster then thanked the ICC for finding him ‘worthy enough’ to be part of the Hall of Fame.
“I think all awards are important, I don’t like to compare them. Each award, each appreciation has its own place. And I value this. I think this is what I have been able to achieve for 24 years on the field and that has been appreciated by the ICC and its committee members who felt that I was worthy enough to be part of the Hall of Fame. It’s an incredible list and I feel privileged to be here,” Tendulkar said while speaking to Zainab Abbas.
Sachin also went to term India’s World Cup victory in 2011 as the most memorable moment of his illustrious career.
“Without any doubt, it has to be 2011 World Cup because when you lift that beautiful trophy, it’s an impossible feeling to describe. It takes time to sink in and for me that actually happened. We became the world champions… it took me a while to register that the tournament was over and there were no more matches. It’s the greatest feeling in life,” Tendulkar added.
His cabinet may be full of trophies, but every additional recognition means the world to the Little Master! @sachin_rt spoke to @ZAbbasOfficial after he was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/B3bSNq1nEh
— ICC (@ICC) July 19, 2019
Since his retirement, Sachin has made appearances at ICC events as an ambassador of various tournaments including the 2015 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and the 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Tendulkar has been serving as a mentor to the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
