MCA to install life-size statue of Dilip Vengsarkar

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has decided to install a life-size statue of Dilip Vengsarkar at the Wankhede Stadium. The decision was taken at the Apex Council meeting of the MCA held on Wednesday (October 8). Vengsarkar, a former India captain, also served as a vice-president of the association.

"The Council has unanimously resolved to install a life-size statue of Dilip Vengsarkar at Wankhede Stadium in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian and Mumbai cricket," the MCA said.

Vengsarkar (69) played 116 Tests, scoring 17 centuries, including three hundreds at Lord's. He also featured in 129 ODIs and was part of India's 1983 World Cup-winning squad.

Recently, the association unveiled a statue of Sunil Gavaskar inside the Wankhede premises. The stadium also already features a statue of legend Sachin Tendulkar.

"Honouring Dilip Vengsarkar with a statue at Wankhede is a tribute to one of Mumbai's greatest cricketing icons, while our support for farmers and maidan clubs underlines MCA's deep-rooted connection with the community," Ajinkya Naik, MCA president, said.

The MCA also decided to set up academies across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to provide world-class training and infrastructure to promising young players. The MCA will also provide essential ground equipment to maidan clubs to support and improve the playing conditions at the grassroots level.

"We are focused on strengthening the cricketing ecosystem from the grassroots. Setting up academies across the MMR and providing ground equipment to maidan clubs will help nurture the next generation of cricketers and ensure they have access to world-class facilities," MCA secretary Abhay Hadap added.