Is Sachin Tendulkar's Portrait the Most Iconic at Lord’s MCC Museum?

London, July 10 (NationPress) A stunning new portrait of Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar was unveiled at the MCC Museum at Lord’s, coinciding with the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy third Test match between England and India.

Created by British artist Stuart Pearson Wright, this artwork features an impressive close-up of Tendulkar’s head and shoulders. It is set to remain in the museum before transferring to the Pavilion later this year.

This marks the fifth portrait of an Indian player in the MCC’s renowned collection, with this being the fourth crafted by Pearson Wright. Departing from his earlier full-length depictions of Kapil Dev, Bishan Bedi, and Dilip Vengsarkar, this piece adopts a unique close-up style complemented by an abstract backdrop.

Before the commencement of the third Test between England and India, Tendulkar had the privilege of ringing the iconic five-minute bell at Lord’s. This tradition, introduced in 2007, is one of cricket's revered practices, honoring players who have significantly impacted the sport, making Tendulkar a most appropriate choice for this moment.

The painting draws inspiration from a photograph taken by the artist at Tendulkar’s residence in Mumbai 18 years ago.

Having retired from international cricket in 2013, Tendulkar is celebrated as one of the greatest batsmen in history, amassing 34,357 international runs across all formats—over 6,000 runs ahead of the next highest, Kumar Sangakkara.

Reflecting on this honor, Tendulkar remarked, “In 1983, when India clinched the World Cup, it marked my first encounter with Lord’s. I watched our captain, Kapil Dev, lift the trophy. That moment ignited my cricketing journey. Today, with my portrait being displayed in the Pavilion, it feels like a full-circle moment.”

Pearson Wright elaborated on his artistic direction, stating, “MCC sought a distinct approach from previous portraits, so I concentrated on Sachin’s visage and employed a heroic scale. The abstract background allows his features to shine without anchoring him to a specific time or setting.”

The Lord’s Portrait Programme has been in operation for over 30 years, while the MCC’s art collection dates back to the Victorian era. With nearly 300 portraits among a total of 3,000 artworks, it stands as one of the most prestigious sporting collections globally.

Charlotte Goodhew, MCC’s Collections and Programmes Manager, stated, “It’s a joy to include such a monumental figure as Sachin Tendulkar in our portrait collection. Unveiling it during an England-India Test adds an extra layer of significance for fans visiting Lord’s.”