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Rohit Sharma, the ODI captain of India and a recent Test cricket retiree, was overcome with emotion on Friday night as he saw a stand bearing his name inaugurated at the Wankhede Stadium.

The proposals to rename the Divecha Pavilion Level 3 Stand as the Rohit Sharma Stand, the Grand Stand Level 3 as the Sharad Pawar Stand, the Grand Stand Level 4 as the Ajit Wadekar Stand, and the MCA Office Lounge in honor of the late president Amol Kale (who passed away last June) were approved by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) at its April 15 Annual General Meeting. In the presence of former MCA, BCCI, and ICC head Sharad Pawar, as well as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, they officially opened these stands.

Following his remarks, Rohit promptly left the dais to introduce his personal stand and invite his mother, Purnima; wife, Ritika; and father, Gurunath, to the platform. In 273 ODIs thus far, Rohit, 38, has amassed 11,168 runs, including 32 hundreds, and he is eager to play for his nation in 50-over cricket at home soon.

“A surreal sensation”
“It’s very, really amazing because of the honor while I’m still playing. I still play in one format [ODI], but I’ve retired from two others. Speaking to the crowd, which included former India captains Dilip Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri, and Diana Edulji and the entire Mumbai Indians team, Rohit remarked, “It will be a surreal feeling on May 21 when I come here to play against Delhi Capitals, representing Mumbai Indians, and to have a stand [in my name].”

Being here to represent the nation [in ODIs] would make it much more memorable. And to be given this great honor [a stand in my name at Wankhede] in front of so many people, particularly my wife, brother, his wife, parents, and other family members who are here as well… It is astounding to have a booth at this legendary location named after me. It honors the goals, encouragement, and turning points that have molded my path, and I am very grateful to the MCA for this privilege. Rohit went on.

From 1966 to 1974, Wadekar, the former captain of India, played 37 Test matches and two One-Day Internationals before passing away in 2018 at the age of 77. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” said Rekha, Wadekar’s wife, who went to the event with her family. After much waiting, the man who elevated Mumbai and Indian cricket has finally received recognition. Nevertheless, he now has a stand, and it’s at the grandstand level. I am thus appreciative of the MCA for bestowing that honor on him.

CM guarantees a new stadium.
Ajinkya Naik, the president of the MCA, was promised land to construct a new cricket stadium with a capacity of one lakh by chief guest Fadnavis during his address. “Amol Kale, the former president of the MCA, and Ajinkya Naik, the secretary of the MCA at the time, approached me with a proposal that the MCA construct a new cricket stadium that could accommodate at least one million spectators. “Now, today, I’m promising Ajinkya ji that the Maharashtra government will give you a good piece of land for the MCA to build its own big cricket stadium if you come with a proposal,” Fadnavis said.

MCA’s centennial is approaching.
When the MCA celebrates its 100th anniversary in four years, the organization hopes to build a new, large stadium. MCA chairman Naik acknowledged the CM’s word, saying, “He [Fadnavis] very much wants to do it [build a new stadium].” He has an optimistic, forward-thinking outlook on life. Our application for a spot in Amne in Thane district has already been submitted. We may be able to find a spot someplace else as well.