Sachin Tendulkar's Wax Statue for Madame Tussauds unveiled in Mumbai

Sachin Tendulkar on Monday came face to face with himself, as a new waxwork figure of the Indian cricket legend was unveiled in his home city of Mumbai after demand from the public.

The figure has been made to go on show at London's Madame Tussauds museum and is the first of an Indian sportsman at the world famous waxwork attraction.

It shows Tendulkar, 35, in a familiar pose - in full whites of the India team, batting pads, arm guard and gloves, holding his bat and helmet aloft in celebration.

"This was the way I celebrated when I passed the record," he told a news conference, referring to the moment last October when he broke Brian Lara's record for the most runs in Test cricket.

"I saw the picture and it was a special moment, a very dear one to me."

Tendulkar, nicknamed the "Little Master" or "Master Blaster," described being immortalized in wax as a "great honors."

"It's fantastic, fabulous," he added.

Liz Edwards, from Madame Tussauds, said it was the first time one of its wax figures had been launched outside London and had been designed to coincide with the start of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament this weekend.

Tendulkar captains the Mumbai Indians in the competition, which has been moved to South Africa because of a clash with India's general election.

"Guests vote for wax figures to come in. Sachin's name was constantly coming up and we were delighted to work with him," said Edwards.

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India can beat anyone anywhere: Harbhajan

Fresh from a rare Test series victory in New Zealand, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes India have what it takes to beat the best in the world on their home soil.

India's Test series win in New Zealand this week was their first in four decades. It was also their third successive Test series victory since beating top-ranked Australia in November.

"This team is capable of winning anywhere," Harbhajan said in an interview on Friday. "If we play to our potential, stick to the basics and focus on the job, we have the team that can beat anyone anywhere."

India defeated Australia and England in back-to-back series at home last year and are once again considered a true force in world cricket. India have yet to win a Test series in Australia, although they squared a close series 1-1 in 2004 and lost a controversial Test series 2-1, before winning a tri-series last year.

India won their first Test in South Africa in 2006 and emerged surprise winners of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup there two years ago. The 28-year-old bowler said winning matches overseas has made a big difference.

"The guys are confident, confident of performing in any conditions," said Harbhajan, the side's main spinner since Anil Kumble retired last year.

"I think this team can win anywhere -- South Africa, Australia -- we have got the ability to exploit any conditions." Harbhajan is his country's second most successful spinner and emerged the highest wicket-taker in New Zealand with 16 wickets.

Their success streak, including a 1-0 win over England, has triggered debate in the cricket-mad country as to whether the current side are the best yet.

India are ranked third behind Australia and South Africa in the Test rankings and the batting-heavy team has found a potent new ball pair in the wily Zaheer Khan and quick Ishant Sharma.

The pair have played a significant role in the last three series victories and are regarded as the best new ball pair in the business. "Zaheer has bowled beautifully to give India early breakthroughs," Harbhajan said of the left-armer.

"Ishant is still raw, and he needs to be focused. He is a talented bowler." Harbhajan, who has taken 330 Test wickets and over 200 one-day wickets, did not get drawn into the debate of whether the team is India's best yet.

"I won't want to compare between eras," said Harbhajan. "But a batting like up of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh... I'd say it is one of the best. It's an exciting team."