Sachin Tendulkar at the Bradman Oval, in Bowral, on Thursday. Picture courtesy: Bradman Foundation/Dianna Watson Photography

Calcutta: A day after being inducted as a Bradman Honouree, Sachin Tendulkar took a 40-minute chopper ride from Sydney to Bowral, bowling over everybody associated with the iconic Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame there.

Actually, Thursday marked a first for Sachin, who hadn’t made the trip to lovely Bowral, which is so closely associated with the late Sir Donald Bradman, on any of his many previous visits to Australia.

As a special gesture, the helicopter was arranged by the Bradman Foundation, which selects the Honourees. Former umpire Simon Taufel, who stays in Bowral, accompanied Sachin on behalf of the Foundation.

The chopper, in fact, landed at the Bradman Oval (separated from the Museum and Hall of Fame by a courtyard) and Sachin spent “in excess of three hours” at the neighbouring facilities.

Collectively, the Oval, the Museum and Hall of Fame complete the Bradman Centre.

For many, it’s a place of worship.

The Museum is celebrating its 25th year. The Hall of Fame, though, came into being fairly recently — in 2010.

“Sachin was greeted by children from the Bowral Public School, Sir Don’s alma mater. They’d lined up and, clearly, he was touched and loved the atmosphere...

“An absolute sport, Sachin spoke to those who play cricket and, impressed, described them as ‘unpolished diamonds’. He made their day. Ours, too,” David Wells, the Foundation curator, told The Telegraph on Friday.

Speaking from Bowral, Wells added: “Much to everyone’s delight, Sachin even patted down a few balls on the centre wicket, which Sir Don had made his own many decades ago...

“Honestly, we can’t ever thank Sachin enough for accepting our invitation. We realise he’s such a busy man and is also a Member of Parliament...

“Sachin himself said he was busier now than during his days as an India cricketer.”

It was last November that Sachin, now 41, retired.

From the Oval, Sachin moved to the Museum and Hall of Fame and didn’t miss his autographed shirt on display in the donors’ section.

Sachin was made to sign the Honours Board and, then, presented with a “citation.”

“Not that we expected anything different, but Sachin was very attentive on the tour of the Museum and Hall of Fame. He’s such a polite man...

“Sachin had lunch with us and promised to make another trip. We hope he does, as he’s special to all of us,” Wells emphasised.

The helicopter took Sachin back as well.

Meanwhile, the Museum and Hall of Fame expect a significant footfall during the February-March World Cup.

“Nothing dramatic, but we’re putting up an exhibition in Canberra, which is a World Cup venue, and will work closely with our sister Museum at the SCG,” Wells informed.

There’s a move to request all 14 World Cup teams to “donate memorabilia.”