In a moment of high emotion and national pride, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Friday unveiled the Rohit Sharma Stand at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attended the ceremony, which paid tribute to one of Indian cricket’s most prolific openers.
A Hometown Tribute
Rohit Sharma, who made his domestic debut at the Wankhede in 2007, has long considered the ground his personal fortress.
On the day of the unveiling, he expressed profound gratitude to the MCA and all those involved in honouring his contribution to the game.
“Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has come here to make this event so special. What is going to happen today, I never dreamt of,” Sharma said.
“As a child growing up in Mumbai, dreaming of playing for the city and for India, I never imagined something like this. It’s an unbelievable honour.”
A Player Among Legends
Sharma, still active in the One Day International (ODI) format, noted that receiving such recognition while still playing adds to the moment’s significance.
“To be honoured while I am still playing makes it even more special,” he said. “Wankhede is such an iconic venue with countless memories. To have my name alongside cricketing greats and global leaders is truly surreal.”
He also shared that returning to Wankhede on 21st April to play for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL will now carry even more emotional weight.
A Stellar Career
Sharma recently retired from Test cricket, after already stepping away from the T20I format following India’s triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup campaign.
However, he remains an integral part of India’s ODI setup.
Over a career spanning nearly two decades, he has played 67 Tests, 273 ODIs, and 159 T20Is, and was part of the squad that lifted the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007.
Under his captaincy, India also clinched the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, cementing his legacy as a leader.
Family and Teammates Celebrate the Moment
Rohit’s family, including his wife Ritika Sajdeh, parents, and brother, were present at the ceremony.
Ritika, widely recognised for her unwavering support throughout his career, was visibly emotional as her husband was immortalised at the stadium that launched his cricketing journey.
The event also saw members of the Mumbai Indians squad in attendance, with Rohit joking that they were waiting for his speech to finish so they could begin training.
Reflecting on what the tribute means to him, Rohit concluded, “It will be even more special when I play for India again at this ground. To receive this honour in front of my loved ones is something I’ll cherish forever.”
As the Wankhede Stadium echoes with chants of his name, the Rohit Sharma Stand stands as a testament to a cricketing career marked by brilliance, leadership, and national pride.
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