In a heartwarming and historic moment at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, India’s limited-overs captain Rohit Sharma was honored with a stand named after him. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) unveiled the Rohit Sharma Stand during a grand ceremony on Friday, marking a significant milestone in the cricketer’s illustrious career. Rohit, accompanied by his family, received the first ticket to the stand, bearing the serial number 162279, for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) clash between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals on May 21 at 7:30 PM.
The event was not just a tribute to Rohit but also celebrated other luminaries of Indian cricket. Stands were named after former India captain Ajit Wadekar and ex-BCCI president Sharad Pawar, acknowledging their immense contributions to the sport. The ceremony was graced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, adding a touch of grandeur to the occasion. Amidst fireworks and confetti, Rohit, along with his parents and the Chief Minister, pressed a switch to reveal the stand, creating an unforgettable moment for the 38-year-old Mumbaikar.
Emotion ran high as Rohit escorted his parents to the stage, with his wife Ritika Sajdeh standing by his side. Reflecting on the honor, Rohit expressed his gratitude, stating, ‘It’s going to be even more special to have my family here—parents, brother, wife. I am grateful for whatever they have sacrificed for me.’ He admitted that having a stand named after him at Wankhede, a venue synonymous with Indian cricket history, was beyond his childhood dreams. ‘As a kid growing up, I wanted to play for Mumbai and India. For me to have my name amongst the greats of the game, I cannot express it in words,’ he added.
Rohit, who has retired from T20Is and Test cricket but continues to lead India in ODIs, shared his excitement about playing at Wankhede in the future. ‘It will be surreal to play on the 21st for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and have a stand here. Representing the country at this venue will be special,’ he said. With over 18,000 international runs and iconic achievements like leading India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title, Rohit’s legacy is cemented in Indian cricket, and this honor at Wankhede—where he has played countless memorable innings—adds another feather to his cap.
Tributes poured in from teammates and dignitaries alike. Mumbai Indians star Suryakumar Yadav took to Instagram to congratulate his captain, writing, ‘Congratulations @rohitsharma45 on achieving incredible things on the cricket ground. You have been an inspiration and our pride in every role. Good things happen to good people, and you deserve it all and more. Wankhede just got even more iconic.’ Chief Minister Fadnavis also praised Rohit, calling him an ‘iconic batter and a mesmerizing captain.’ In a significant announcement, Fadnavis added, ‘If there is a proposal from MCA for a new stadium, we will allot space to accommodate more fans,’ hinting at future developments for Mumbai’s cricket infrastructure.
Rohit concluded by thanking the special guests, including Sharad Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis, for making the day memorable. He also gave a light-hearted nod to his Mumbai Indians teammates waiting for him to wrap up his speech and start training. This poignant tribute at Wankhede Stadium, a ground where Rohit has created history—including being part of the 2011 ODI World Cup-winning team—is a fitting recognition of his journey from a young talent to one of India’s greatest cricketing leaders.