Sachin Tendulkar pavilion inaugurated at Kochi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

In a tribute to batting legend Sachin endulkar, a pavilion in his name was declared open by India captain M S Dhoni at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Kochi on Wednesday.

The venue will host the first India-West Indies ODI on Thursday.

The permanent pavilion has scores of Tendulkar photographs, a white jersey bearing his signature, a Mumbai Indians bat signed by him and other players, photos depicting the journey from childhood with a toy bat to various innings in the last 24 years.

Also on display are photographs of Tendulkar with wife Anjali and children Arjun and Sara. Tendulkar's bat with his signature would soon be displayed at the pavilion, Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) sources said.

The 40-year-old maestro retired on Saturday from international cricket after playing his landmark 200th Test in Mumbai.

After looking around the pavilion, Dhoni described it as 'excellent', KCA President T C Mathew said.

West Indies team's Operational Manager and former player Richie Richardson, who was also present there, appreciated the effort of those behind it. 

Image: Sachin Tendulkar receiving guard of honour 

Photographs: BCCI