Tendulkar, Lara honored with gates at Sydney Cricket Ground

India’s Sachin Tendulkar (L) and West Indies’ former player Brian Lara (R) at the presentation after the Lord's bicentenary match between the MCC and Rest of the world at Lords Cricket ground in London on July 5, 2014. (AFP/FILE)
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Updated 24 April 2023
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Tendulkar, Lara honored with gates at Sydney Cricket Ground

  • All visiting cricket teams will enter playing arena through Lara-Tendulkar gates at iconic Australian stadium
  • Tendulkar, a retired batting legend in India, averaged 157 in the five test matches he played at the SCG

SYDNEY: Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara have been honored with gates at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

All visiting cricket teams will enter the playing arena through the Lara-Tendulkar gates in future at the iconic Australian stadium, Cricket Australia announced Monday.

Tendulkar had an average of 157 in the five test matches he played at the SCG and said it’s his favorite ground outside of India.

“I have had some great memories at the SCG right from my first tour of Australia in 1991-92,” Tendulkar said in a statement. “It is a great honor to have the gates ... named after me and my good friend Brian.”

Lara’s 277 at the SCG in 1993, his fifth test, was the first of his 34 test centuries for the West Indies. Lara’s average of 54.85 in four tests at the SCG was also above his career average of 52.88 in 131 test matches.

The gates were unveiled on April 24 to mark Tendulkar’s 50th birthday.

“This is a fitting and timely gesture by the SCG to recognize Sachin and Brian Lara as two legends of the international game with exceptional records at the SCG,” Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said. “Their feats will no doubt

be an inspiration to not only visiting international teams, but all players fortunate enough to walk onto the hallowed turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground.”

Three Australian cricket greats have long been honored with entrances named for them at the SCG.

The Australian cricket team enters the field of play via the Don Bradman Gates, while the Arthur Morris and Alan Davidson gates are at the entrance to the stadium.

The SCG is the traditional venue for Australia’s first test match of the year.

Tendulkar is a record-setting cricketer who played 200 tests for India, scoring 15,921 runs at a career average of 53.78. Three of his 51 test centuries were posted at the SCG.

Lara played 131 test matches for West Indies and his 400 not out against England in 2004 remains the highest individual score ever in a test innings.

“I’m deeply honored to be recognized at the Sydney Cricket Ground, as I’m sure Sachin is,” Lara said in a statement. “The ground holds many special memories for me and my family.”

 


Danube Group launches UAE’s first cricket-focused digital media platform

Updated 18 December 2025
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Danube Group launches UAE’s first cricket-focused digital media platform

  • Move marks a new front for one of the UAE’s most diversified conglomerates
  • Anis Sajan: Mr. Cricket UAE Media Group is not just a business expansion it is the culmination of my lifelong passion for cricket

DUBAI: Danube Group has entered the digital sports media sector with the launch of Mr. Cricket UAE Media Group, the country’s first cricket-focused digital media platform, under the leadership of its vice chairman, Anis Sajan.

The move marks a new front for one of the UAE’s most diversified conglomerates, expanding its footprint beyond real estate, retail, building materials and hospitality into the fast-growing digital sports media landscape. The platform reflects Danube Group’s strategy of diversification and its focus on consumer-driven, high-growth sectors.

The launch event in Dubai was attended by several international cricket stars, including Dinesh Karthik, Eoin Morgan, JP Duminy, Fakhar Zaman, Angelo Mathews, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Khurram Khan, alongside figures from across the regional sports community.

Speaking at the launch, Sajan said: “Today, Danube Group takes a major leap into a brand-new segment. Mr. Cricket UAE Media Group is not just a business expansion it is the culmination of my lifelong passion for cricket. As the UAE becomes a global hub for the sport, this platform will bring world-class cricket content, storytelling, and exclusive access to fans worldwide.”

Headquartered in Dubai, Mr. Cricket UAE Media Group becomes the first digital media house in the UAE dedicated exclusively to cricket. The platform will initially focus on cricket content, drawing on the UAE’s strong connection to the sport and Sajan’s global network, before expanding into coverage of other major sports as part of a long-term plan to evolve into a multi-sport digital platform.

The platform will offer a wide range of content, including live and real-time cricket coverage, exclusive interviews with international players, premium digital video productions, studio shows, social-first short-form content, documentary-style storytelling rooted in cricket culture, and behind-the-scenes access across global leagues.

The launch comes as the UAE continues to strengthen its position in the global cricket landscape, having hosted major tournaments such as the T20 World Cup, Asia Cup, ILT20, T10 competitions and numerous international fixtures.

“The UAE has truly become a home away from home for people of many nationalities like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, united by their love of cricket, alongside expatriates from England, Australia, South Africa, and beyond who are also cricket lovers,” Sajan added. “Hence, launching a world-class sports media platform here is a step toward cementing the nation’s role not just in hosting the sport, but in shaping how it is consumed by these audiences.”

Danube Group said the move aligns with its long-term vision of innovation, diversification and community engagement, with digital sports media forming a new vertical that combines technology, entertainment and culture.

Sajan underlined the personal significance of the project, saying: “Cricket has always been a passion for me for the last 45 years, will continue to be my passion, and will never be treated as a business.”