Wankhede Stadium to Name Stand After Ravi Shastri; Gates Dedicated to Sardesai, Solkar, and Edulji
MUMBAI – The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) Apex Council has approved a proposal to rename specific sections of the Wankhede Stadium in honor of four distinguished Mumbai cricketers. Former India captain and head coach Ravi Shastri will have a stand named after him, while gates will be dedicated to Dilip Sardesai, Eknath Solkar, and former India women’s captain Diana Edulji.
MCA President Ajinkya Naik confirmed the decision following the council meeting on Friday, emphasizing the association’s intent to recognize players who significantly impacted Indian cricket history.
Ravi Shastri Stand Location
The council selected the Level 1 Stand situated below the Press Box to bear Ravi Shastri’s name. This decision acknowledges Shastri’s multifaceted career as a player, World Cup-winning broadcaster, and the head coach who led India to consecutive Test series victories in Australia.
Shastri, a Mumbai native, played 80 Tests and 150 ODIs for India. He was famously elected Champion of Champions at the 1985 World Championship of Cricket. His association with the Wankhede Stadium includes his six sixes in an over during a Ranji Trophy match against Baroda in 1985, a record that stood for decades.
Wankhede Stadium Dedications: At a Glance
The following table outlines the new dedications approved by the MCA:
| Honoree | Dedication | Key Career Stat (Intl) |
|---|---|---|
| Ravi Shastri | Level 1 Stand (Below Press Box) | 3,830 Test Runs / 151 Test Wickets |
| Dilip Sardesai | Gate No. 3 | 2,001 Test Runs (Avg: 39.23) |
| Diana Edulji | Gate No. 5 | 63 Test Wickets / 46 ODI Wickets |
| Eknath Solkar | Gate No. 6 | 53 Test Catches (27 Matches) |
Gates Honoring Mumbai Legends
Alongside the Shastri stand, the MCA will rename three entry points to memorialize players instrumental in Mumbai’s dominance in domestic cricket and India’s rise on the international stage.
- Gate No. 3: Dilip Sardesai – Known as the “Renaissance Man of Indian Cricket,” Sardesai played 30 Tests between 1961 and 1972. He anchored India’s batting lineup during the historic 1971 series victory in the West Indies, scoring 642 runs in the series.
- Gate No. 5: Diana Edulji – A pioneer for women’s cricket in India, Edulji enjoyed a career spanning from 1976 to 1993. She took over 100 international wickets and later served as a administrator appointed by the Supreme Court of India to the BCCI Committee of Administrators.
- Gate No. 6: Eknath Solkar – Renowned as one of cricket’s greatest forward short-leg fielders, Solkar’s agility was central to the success of India’s spin quartet in the 1970s. He played 27 Tests and seven ODIs, influencing matches with his fielding as much as his all-round skills.
Official Statement
MCA President Ajinkya Naik stated that the dedications serve as a permanent reminder of the city’s cricketing lineage.
“The proposal to name Level 1 Stand below Press Box after Ravi Shastri is a tribute to his immense contribution as a player, leader, and coach,” Naik said. “Similarly, dedicating gates at the Wankhede Stadium to Dilip Sardesai, Eknath Solkar, and Diana Edulji ensures that every fan who walks into the stadium is reminded of the legends who shaped our glorious cricketing heritage.”
The Wankhede Stadium, which serves as the home ground for the Mumbai Cricket Association and the IPL franchise Mumbai Indians, continues to update its facilities and heritage markers to reflect its status as a premier international venue.
For more detailed player statistics and records, visit ESPNcricinfo.