The Mumbai Cricket Association has announced plans to honor former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar with a life-size statue at the illustrious Wankhede Stadium. This landmark decision, made during the MCA’s Apex Council meeting, celebrates Vengsarkar’s immense contributions to Indian and Mumbai cricket.
Expressing his profound gratitude, Vengsarkar shared, “It’s a great honor for me. The MCA provided me with a foundation from the tender age of 12, starting with my first Giles Shield tournament. I have consistently received immense support and encouragement from the association, my Mumbai teammates, coaches, well-wishers, and crucially, my family. My club Dadar Union and the Tatas also played a pivotal role in my journey.”
Known affectionately as ‘The Colonel,’ Vengsarkar holds the unique distinction of being the only non-English batter to score three centuries in successive Test matches at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, achieving this feat in 1979, 1982, and 1986. A veteran of 116 Test matches, the 69-year-old also captained Mumbai in domestic cricket and was a proud member of India’s historic 1983 ODI World Cup-winning squad. His legacy at Wankhede is further cemented by a stand already bearing his name.
Throughout his illustrious career, Vengsarkar amassed a remarkable 6,868 Test runs, including a highest score of 166. In 129 One-Day Internationals, he scored 3,508 runs, with a top score of 105. He debuted in Test cricket against New Zealand in Auckland in 1976 and played his final Test against Australia in Perth in 1992. Beyond international cricket, his first-class career saw him score an astounding 17,868 runs in 260 matches.
MCA president Ajinkya Naik highlighted the association’s commitment to both cricketing excellence and social responsibility. “Honoring Vengsarkar with a statue at Wankhede is a fitting tribute to one of Mumbai’s greatest cricketing legends,” Naik stated. “Concurrently, our support for farmers and local maidan clubs underscores the MCA’s deep-rooted connection with the community.”
In a heartwarming display of solidarity, the MCA has pledged a donation of ₹1 crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, assisting farmers across the state severely impacted by recent excessive rainfall. Mumbai’s cricketers will also collectively contribute ₹25 lakhs to this vital cause.
Further investing in the future of cricket, the MCA is significantly boosting grassroots development by increasing the cricket promotion subsidy for maidan clubs to ₹10,000 per match. Plans are also underway to establish MCA Cricket Academies throughout the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), aiming to provide aspiring young players with world-class training and modern infrastructure. Additionally, the association will supply essential ground equipment to maidan clubs to improve playing conditions and nurture talent at the foundational level.