Rohit Sharma Gets Stand At Wankhede Along With SachinTendulkar and Others

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In a landmark move that blends nostalgia with national pride, the Mumbai Cricket Association has etched cricketing glory into the heart of Wankhede Stadium. Curious which cricketing giant joins this elite league?

At its 86th AGM, iconic stands were renamed to honour legends like Rohit Sharma, Ajit Wadekar, and Sharad Pawar- celebrating their towering contributions to Indian cricket and ensuring their legacy lives on in Mumbai’s cricketing temple.

In a landmark move that blends nostalgia with national pride, the Mumbai Cricket Association has etched cricketing glory into the heart of Wankhede Stadium. Foremost among the announcements was the decision to name a stand in honour of India’s Test and ODI captain, Rohit Sharma.

Under his inspirational leadership- most notably when he guided India to break an eleven-year ICC title drought by winning the T20 World Cup in 2024, and later securing the Champions Trophy in February 2025- the dedicated stand is set to be installed at the Divecha Pavilion on Level 3 of the iconic Wankhede Stadium.

This new tribute places Rohit alongside cricketing legends, marking his indelible impact on the sport. Notably, no other cricketer from Mumbai has achieved the dual feat of captaining India to a T20 World Cup and a Champions Trophy win.

In an equally heartfelt tribute, the late India captain Ajit Wadekar, remembered for leading India to historic Test series triumphs in the West Indies and England in 1971, will have the Grand Stand on Level 4 named after him. This decision was championed by veteran administrator Ratnakar Shetty, who advocated passionately for the recognition of Wadekar’s contributions to Indian cricket.

Adding further prestige to the decisions taken at the AGM, the Grand Stand on Level 3 has been allocated to honour the illustrious former BCCI and MCA president, Sharad Pawar. His significant role in shaping cricketing policies over the years merits this permanent recognition within the hallowed confines of Wankhede.

The MCA’s visionary plans did not end with the renaming of stands. The Association has decided to rename the match day office at the MCA Pavilion. It will now be known as the MCA Office Lounge, dedicated to the memory of former MCA President Amol Kale, whose demise in 2024 in New York left an indelible void in the cricketing fraternity.

The decisions, as conveyed by MCA President Ajinkya Naik, resonate with a sense of reverence for the individuals who have, “brick by brick, run by run,” contributed to Mumbai’s cricketing spirit.

This commitment to legacy is further reflected in the stadium’s existing tributes- where the East Stand pays homage to the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, the West Stand commemorates the achievements of Vijay Merchant, and the North Stand bears the names of Dilip Vengsarkar and Sachin Tendulkar. In addition, a life-size statue of Sachin Tendulkar, installed in 2022, continues to inspire the fans and players alike.

Every decision taken during the AGM underscores the MCA’s dual commitment to celebrating the past and nurturing the future. By immortalising the names of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Ajit Wadekar, Sharad Pawar, and Amol Kale within the walls of the Wankhede Stadium, the Association ensures that each match is not only a contest of skill but also a tribute to the enduring legacy of Mumbai cricket.

As the stands echo with the cheers of generations, these decisions promise to inspire both current players and future stars, reaffirming Mumbai’s position as the cradle of Indian cricket.