Stand named after Rohit Sharma at Wankhede

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officially inaugurated the Rohit Sharma Stand at Wankhede Stadium on Friday, celebrating one of India's most celebrated current cricketers. Alongside this, the MCA also unveiled stands named in honour of former Indian captain Ajit Wadekar and veteran administrator Sharad Pawar. A new MCA Office Lounge, commemorating the late Amol Kale, former MCA President, was also opened. Rohit Sharma, visibly moved, shared his appreciation: “Wankhede has been the heart of my cricketing journey. It’s where my dream took flight, and where I’ve lived some of the most cherished moments of my career. The roar of the Mumbai crowd has always inspired me. To have a stand bearing my name here is deeply humbling. This honour reflects the love, the support, and the milestones that have defined my path. I thank the MCA for this incredible gesture.” What makes this tribute even more remarkable is that unlike most others honoured at Wankhede—Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Vijay Merchant—Rohit receives this recognition while still actively playing. The event was attended by the families of Rohit, Pawar, Wadekar, and Kale, lending a personal touch to the ceremonial occasion. MCA president Ajinkya Naik spoke on the importance of preserving the legacy of Mumbai’s cricketing legends: “By naming stands and the Office Lounge after these great figures, we are embedding their stories into the spirit of Wankhede itself. Their influence shaped Mumbai cricket, and with Wankhede marking 50 years of excellence, we recommit ourselves to honouring and safeguarding that rich history.” Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, floated the idea of a much larger cricket stadium in Mumbai. Encouraging the MCA to send in a proposal, he said, “We are ready to build a state-of-the-art stadium with a capacity exceeding one lakh. Mumbai deserves a world-class venue worthy of its cricket-crazy population.”