Tendulkar became the sixth Indian to be added to the prestigious list; having played his last international game in November 2013, he matched the eligibility criteria this time round, as a player must have been retired for at least five years.

The leading run-scorer in the history of Test and ODI cricket, Tendulkar is the only player to have featured in 200 Tests and holds the record for the most international hundreds [100], scored over an illustrious 24-year career for India.

Humbled and happy to be inducted into the #ICCHallOfFame.
A lot of people have contributed towards helping me become who I am today.
A big thank you to my family, friends & fans across the globe for the love & support.
Congratulations to Cathryn Fitzpatrick & @AllanDonald33. https://t.co/F0o7W6TJP5

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 19, 2019

“It is an honour to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, which cherishes the contribution of cricketers over generations,” Tendulkar said at the ceremony in London. “They have all contributed to the growth and popularity of the game and I am happy to have done my bit.”

Sachin’s competitor from the 1990s, ex-South Africa speedster Allan Donald, was also added to the list. Having earned the moniker ‘White Lightning’ for his fearsome pace bowling, Donald led South Africa’s pace attack from their readmission into international cricket in 1991 until his retirement in 2003.

A 🤳 with the three ICC Hall of Fame inductees 😄 #ICCHallOfFame pic.twitter.com/cXnL1Ln6W2

— ICC (@ICC) July 18, 2019

“The biggest shock when you open an email like that – it says congratulations Allan Donald, you have been inducted in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame!” said the speedster upon receiving the honour. “It hits you quite hard because it is a prestigious award and something that you can’t take lightly. I thank the ICC for the huge honour.”

Australia’s Cathryn Fitzpatrick, one of the most fearsome pacers in women’s cricket through a 16-year international career in the 1990s and 2000s, also entered the list.

Previously the leading wicket-taker in ODIs until India’s Jhulan Goswami surpassed her in 2017, Fitzpatrick was the first female bowler to capture 150 ODI wickets. She is also second on the list of most wickets by an Australian in Test cricket.

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“To gain recognition alongside many of the game’s giants is a huge honour,” said Fitzpatrick, who coached the Australian women’s team after he playing career. “I look at the list of past inductees and what stands out most is not only their outstanding talent, but that they were game-changers. They took the game on and changed the way it was played.”