Sir,

Madame Tussauds is a wax museum in London, displaying wax-works of celebrities, famous and historical personalities. Precision-worked, life-size statues of Narendra Modi, Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan have been erected here along with cricketing icons like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.

Meanwhile, Yuvraj Singh’s life-size statue was unveiled in Ferozpur outside the District Cricket Association’s Ground on New Year’s Day. They believe this will inspire and influence a lot of younger generation to be tough both on and off the field.

India has other interesting ways to commemorate the achievements of cricketers. Naming a stand after a cricketer in the ground is one common way.  We have Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar stand at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai so does Sourav Ganguly stand at Eden Gardens. Surprisingly, the Gates at the stadium are named after Virender Sehwag and Anjum Chopra in Delhi. Lord’s, considered as Mecca of Cricket is named after Thomas Lord, a famous first-class cricketer.

Rahul Dravid, popularly known as the ‘Wall of India’ is honoured with a 10,000 brick wall inside Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, signifying his 10,000-plus runs in both Test and ODIs.

Anil Kumble, the only Indian to have picked up all the 10 wickets in an innings in a Test match against Pakistan, has a Traffic Signal named after him just in front of Chinnaswamy Stadium. Also, Kumble was gifted a car with a customised Registration Number of  KA – 10 – N – 10 by the Karnataka Government.

Tendulkar is the first and the only sporting icon to have been conferred with Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award for his numerous achievements in cricket.

Javagal Srinath, popularly known as The Mysore Express, is the only player from Mysuru to have represented India in any form of the game.  He earned the coveted India Cap when opportunities were far and few between. His bowling action, the in-swingers and his animated celebrations after picking up a wicket are a sight to behold.  Invariably fans speak of Srinath with the same reverence as that of Kapil Dev. 

He was the first bowler to take 300 wickets in ODI for India.  His finest moment was when he picked up 8/86 in the second innings of Asian Test Championship against Pakistan in 1999.   Indian Government honoured him with Arjuna Award in 1996.

But Javagal Srinath has not got the recognition that he truly deserves, though his achievements are colossal. Being one of his biggest fans, I request the KSCA to name the Pavilion at SDNR Wadiyar Stadium in city after Javagal Srinath or anything of the like and thus give a befitting tribute to this man of refreshing candour.

– D.Vijeth, Mysuru, 20.1.2020

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