Sachin Tendulkar captured with PM Modi at foundation stone event for Varanasi International Cricket Stadium

Sachin Tendulkar and Narendra Modi. (Photo Source: ANI)

Legendary former Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar was in attendance in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP), as he participated in the foundation stone event of a new international stadium in the city. In a clip that has been doing the rounds all over social media, Tendulkar was spotted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they kicked off the event of laying the foundation stone. 

In the clip, Tendulkar was captured giving an Indian jersey to PM Modi as they posed for pictures. Apart from Tendulkar and the Prime Minister, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was present on the stage as well.

It is worth noting that, apart from Tendulkar, Ravi Shastri, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Sunil Gavaskar were also in attendance at the event. Furthermore, it has been reported that the UP government has spent Rs 121 crore in order to acquire the land for the stadium. The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) will be spending a sum of INR 330 crore for the construction of the stadium, as per several reports.

#WATCH Sachin Tendulkar with PM Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath at the event to mark the foundation stone laying of an international cricket stadium in Varanasi, UP pic.twitter.com/TjgIHNrelD

— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2023

Varanasi International Cricket Stadium is based on the ‘Lord Shiva’ theme

The stadium will also reflect the roots of Varanasi, taking inspiration from Lord Shiva. The roof covers will be crescent-shaped trident-shaped floodlights, ghat steps-based seating, and Belpatra-shaped metallic sheets on the facade. Furthermore, up to 30,000 spectators will be able to sit in the stadium and enjoy the games.

Apart from the players, the higher-ups of the BCCI, including President Roger Binny, Vice President Rajiv Shukla, and Secretary Jay Shah, were also present at the event. After the construction of the stadium is completed, it will officially become the third international cricket stadium in Uttar Pradesh, after Lucknow and Kanpur cities, respectively.

The stadium is expected to be ready by December 2025, and with the foundation stone of the venue laid, it could be interesting to see how efficient the construction process would be and if it will be ready in time by the end of 2025.