Sachin Tendulkar’s Portrait Unveiled at Lord’s MCC Museum in Honour of His Cricket Legacy

Sachin Tendulkar’s Portrait Unveiled at Lord’s MCC Museum in Honour of His Cricket Legacy

Last Updated Jul - 10 - 2025, 06:07 PM | Source : Fela News

A new portrait of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was unveiled at the MCC Museum at Lord’s on Thursday, July 10, 2025, ahead of the third Test match between India and England in London. The artwork, created by renowned artist Stuart Pearson Wright, is based on a photograph he took of Tendulkar at his home 18 years ago. The portrait will be displayed in the museum temporarily before being moved to the prestigious Pavilion later this year.

According to a statement, as the painting evolved, Pearson Wright shifted his technique, ultimately choosing oil on abraded aluminium. The abstract background was designed to represent Tendulkar’s timeless legacy—unbound by any particular era or setting. The artist, who has also painted Kapil Dev, Bishan Singh Bedi, and Dilip Vengsarkar, opted for a different style for this piece.

Unlike previous full-body portraits of Indian cricketers, Tendulkar’s image is a monumental depiction of his head and shoulders, intended to convey a sense of dignity and power. The Lord’s Portrait Programme has been running for 30 years, though the MCC has collected cricket-related artwork and memorabilia since the Victorian era. The MCC Museum, opened in the 1950s, is the oldest sports museum in Europe, and its Long Room Gallery is considered the most iconic in the sporting world. The Club now holds roughly 3,000 artworks, including nearly 300 portraits.

Tendulkar expressed deep gratitude at the honour. “It’s a huge honour. My first memory of Lord’s is from 1983, when I watched Kapil Dev lift the World Cup. That moment ignited my dream of becoming a cricketer. Now, having my portrait placed in the Pavilion feels like a full-circle moment. It’s truly special.”

Pearson Wright explained that the MCC wanted a new visual approach for Tendulkar’s portrait, distinct from the earlier Indian cricketer portraits he had done. “I chose a composition that zeroes in on Sachin’s face, using a heroic, larger-than-life scale to add depth and gravitas,” he said. “I often prefer abstract or plain backgrounds in my portraits to keep the focus on the subject’s expression and avoid placing them in a defined setting.”

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