Sachin Tendulkar’s No 10 jersey retired by Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians players paying a tribute to Sachin Tendulkar (fourth from left) wearing the No 10 jersey while celebrating the Champions League 2013 win at Mukesh Ambani’s residence. Photo Courtesy Mumbai Indians facebook page.

By Taus Rizvi

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Oct 12, 2013

The recently-concluded Champions League T20 2013 was Sachin Tendulkar’s last tournament in Mumbai Indians colours. Well, it was also the maestro’s last in his famous No. 10 jersey. And as a mark of respect to the batting great, the franchise has decided to retire the jersey.

“I think it was a befitting tribute to our ‘Master’ as we call him. Winning the IPL as well as the Champions League T20 in the same season is a great achievement. It’s a very emotional moment for us and we have decided to retire his No. 10 jersey,” team owner Nita Ambani said.

Last year, MI had launched a campaign to retire Tendulkar’s jersey after he retired from ODI cricket last December. However, the BCCI is yet to take a decision on retiring Tendulkar’s India No 10 jersey.

Former India player and Tendulkar’s long-time teammate and close pal Ajit Agarkar said the decision to retire the jersey should be given to the man himself. “The practice of retiring a legend’s jersey is prevalent in the west. I don’t think it happens in cricket. Sachin is the right person to talk on this,” said Agarkar.

Quite a few No 10 jerseys have been retired. Pele’s was, but players like Zico, Rivaldo and Kaka later wore it. Diego Maradona’s No 10 jersey, which was retired in 2001, is now adorned by none other than Lionel Messi.

(Taus Rizvi is a Principal Correspondent with DNA. A club-level cricketer, he believes cricket helps in knowing a person’s character. Taus can be followed on @rizvitaus on Twitter. The above news has been republished with permission from DNA, where it first appeared)