The Cricket Club of India presented an honorary life membership of the club to Australian captain Steve Waugh at a function held in the Jamnagar Lounge of the CCI in Mumbai on Friday. The certificate was handed over to the Australian skipper by former India captain Polly Umrigar.

The function was jointly hosted by the Cricket Club of India and the Mumbai Cricket Association to pay their tributes to the late Sir Don Bradman. Several prominent players and media personalities were present at the function and expressed their awe and admiration for the legendary batsman.

Waugh said at the function that it was a tremendous honour for him to receive the membership of the CCI. "It is a great honour for me because I am getting this at the age of 34 and not 80." The Don himself was presented with an honorary membership of the CCI on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

Waugh also said that India held fond memories for him and he would always cherish them. "The membership of the CCI will sustain my relationship with India for many many years to come." he added.

The Australian skipper also shared his reminiscences of the Don at the function. "I met him for about an hour and a half last year. He was a man ahead of his time, a very humble man and in our way of playing cricket we dedicate this Test victory to Sir Don Bradman." he said.

Raj Singh Dungarpur read a few lines from 'Farewell to Cricket', the Don's autobiography, and shared his thoughts on the Don. The other dignitaries on the dais, journalists KN Prabhu, Peter Roebuck and Mike Coward and administrators Ratnakar Shetty and Mayank Khandwala also paid their tributes to the greatest batsman in the game's history who died in Adelaide last Sunday.

© CricInfo