Former Indian captain and Mumbai Indians former skipper Rohit Sharma became only the second active Indian cricketer after Virat Kohli to have a stand named after him at a cricket stadium in India. Sharma along with his parents Gurunath and Purnima apart from his wife Ritika Sajdeh were present on stage along with Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis when Sharma called his parents to press a button and unveil the stand’s name at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Sharma will play at the stadium on May 21 when face in an match. Speaking during the function, Sharma talked about the emotional moment.
“It will be a surreal feeling on the 21st when I come here and play against Delhi Capitals, representing Mumbai Indians, and to have a stand, it will be a very, very special feeling. It’ll even get special while representing the country whenever that happens. India plays whichever team here, which will make it even more special. I am grateful to have this big honour in front of so many people, especially my family, my mom and dad, my brother, his wife, and my wife, who is also present here. I’m so grateful for whatever they sacrificed for me… I also thank my special team, Mumbai Indians…” Sharma was quoted by ANI.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗛𝗜𝗧 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗 🫡🏟 |
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan)
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) had renamed Divecha Pavilion Level 3 as the ‘ Stand’ in a tribute to the former Indian captain. The decision was taken during MCA’s 86 th Annual General Meeting last month. Two more stands, Grand Stand Level 3 and Grand Stand Level 4, were also renamed as Sharad Pawar Stand and Ajit Wadekar Stand, respectively.
In a tribute to late Amol Kale, former MCA president, the match day Office at MCA Pavilion was renamed as MCA Office lounge in memory. “Today’s decisions reflect our deep respect for the pillars of Mumbai cricket and our determination to build an even stronger future. These stands and this lounge shall forever echo the legacy of those who built Mumbai’s cricketing spirit—brick by brick, run by run,” MCA president Ajinkya Naik had stated earlier.
