What Sachin Tendulkar Would Think Of His Steve Smith Lookalike Statue? Ravi Shastri Responds

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri shared his verdict on the statue of Sachin Tendulkar that was recently unveiled at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The former India coach said that he needed to ask Tendulkar about the shot that was displayed in the statue.

Ahead of India’s game against Sri Lanka in the ICC World Cup 2023, a life-sized statue of Sachin Tendulkar was revealed in Mumbai on 2nd November. The batting great’s statue had been placed adjacent to the Sachin Tendulkar stand at Wankhede Stadium.

The statue is seen gesturing the lofted cover drive played by Sachin Tendulkar. After it was revealed there were many bizarre reactions to it. Many noticed that the statue looked more like Steve Smith than the batting great and it invited many hilarious reactions from netizens.

Ravi Shastri said that he would know from Sachin Tendulkar’s face if he’s happy about the statue or not. When Michael Vaughan asked Shastri what Tendulkar would think of his statue on a recent episode of Club Prairie Fire podcast, he explained:

“Don’t even go there! I have not even met him. So I have not asked him. I’d like to pick his brain on what he thinks (about it). Where did he play that shot? I will know from his face whether he is happy with that statue or he is not because it won’t be long to know.”

Sachin Tendulkar arguably is the greatest ever batter to have played the game of cricket. He scored 34,357 across the formats to go with 100 centuries in his career spanning 24 years.

IND vs NED: Ravi Shastri suggests ODI should be converted to a 40-over game

Ravi Shastri also shared his verdict on the future of the ODIs. He said that the format should be reduced to 40 overs because people don’t have this much time these days. He explained:

“I think changes have to be made. When we won the World Cup in 83 it was a 60-over game it changed to 50 overs. You have to evolve with time, you have to see the attention span of the spectator. It is diminishing. I think the way forward would be a 40-over game.”

“I see it with the crowds. They wait to see what has happened at the toss. If their favourite team is batting they rush to the ground they will watch the game they will watch 10 overs or 15 overs of powerplay of the second innings and they are off. They are off to see the game somewhere else. It’s the other way around if it’s too hot or India is batting second. Fans are going to reach the ground at 5 o’clock to see the last 10 or 12 overs of the first innings and then they want to see my team bat.”

The ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 has seen a good amount of crowds.