'An unreal feeling' - Rohit on MCA's Wankhede stand gesture

The Mumbai Cricket Association's (MCA) decision to name a stand after Rohit Sharma is overwhelming. "Now to sit back and think that there is going to be a stadium stand in my game, it is such an unreal feeling. It is something that I have never thought of and I will be forever grateful for this big honour in my life," the India captain said while unveiling the third edition of T20 Mumbai, an IPL-style franchise-based league of the MCA. After a recent general body meeting, the association said the Level 3 stand of the Divecha Pavilion at the Wankhede will be named after Rohit. "When you start playing the game, you don't know how long you are going to play the game for; let alone all these milestones and achievements that you achieve while playing the game. But to get this kind of honour, having a stand named after you, is something that I cannot imagine. However, Rohit stated, "It will be a very emotional moment for me to see my name there on the stand. Like I said, from not having to enter the stadium to having a stand, those two moments, so much has happened between these two moments, so I am forever grateful." He continued to consider the issue. "When a cricket player is just starting out, nothing like this comes to mind. I still remember those days when I used to stand outside (the) Wankhede Stadium just to enter and watch Mumbai Ranji Trophy team practice; I am talking about 2004 or maybe 2003. "We used to finish our U-14, U-16 training at Azad Maidan. Me, with a few of my friends, we used to travel across the railway track to go and just get a glimpse of some of the Ranji Trophy cricketers. I know how tough it was to get inside the Wankhede Stadium back then. Even now, obviously, no random (people) will be allowed inside the stadium. However, those were the times. Right now, I'm just trying to remember. "Then at Wankhede, I played my first game. It was such a big honour because we only watched international games being played at Wankhede. And now, going there and experiencing the stadium and watching some of the greats play there was an entirely new experience for me. Since then, there has been so many memories playing at the stadium. "I think the stadium was renovated in 2008 or 2009. I did not participate in the World Cup final, but I watched it from home because we won it there. Watching that game was a special experience, and since then, so many memorable games have been played." On May 26, one day after the IPL final on May 25, the T20 Mumbai League is scheduled to begin. The eight-team tournament, comprising 20 matches, will run until the first week of June. Internationals such as Ajinkya Rahane, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Prithvi Shaw, and Sarfaraz Khan among others will feature as icon players. Rohit Sharma has been named the brand ambassador of the league.