Rohit Sharma was filled with emotion and gratitude as the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) honored him by naming a stand at the iconic Wankhede Stadium after him. The Indian captain called it an “unreal feeling” and said it was a moment beyond his wildest dreams.
“To sit back and think that there’s going to be a stadium stand in my name—it’s such an unreal feeling. I never thought something like this could happen in my life. I’m forever grateful for this big honour,” Rohit said at the unveiling event of the third edition of the T20 Mumbai League.
After a recent general body meeting, the MCA officially announced that the Level 3 stand of the Divecha Pavilion at Wankhede would now bear Rohit’s name, acknowledging his immense contribution to Indian cricket and Mumbai’s cricketing legacy.
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“From Watching Outside to Having a Stand Named After Me”: Rohit Sharma Reflects
Rohit took a moment to reflect on his cricketing journey. “When you start playing cricket, you don’t even know how long your career will last, let alone think of these kinds of milestones. To get this kind of honour… it’s just unimaginable. Once I see my name up there on the stand, it will be a very emotional moment,” he shared.
Taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane, Rohit recalled his early days trying to get a glimpse of Mumbai’s Ranji players. “I still remember standing outside Wankhede in 2003 or 2004, just trying to watch the Ranji Trophy team practice after our U-14 and U-16 training at Azad Maidan. We would cross the railway tracks with a few friends, just to peek inside the stadium. It was so hard to get in back then.”
His voice filled with pride as he spoke about the memories he has created at Wankhede over the years—from debut matches to unforgettable wins. “I played my first big game there. Watching legends take the field and eventually sharing that same stage is something that has stayed with me. I remember the 2011 World Cup final—we won it there. I wasn’t in the squad, but watching that game from home was still special.”
Rohit also talked about how the stadium was revamped in 2008–09 and has since hosted many of his most cherished games.
The event also marked the launch of the T20 Mumbai League, which kicks off on May 26, just a day after the IPL final. The tournament will feature eight teams and a total of 20 matches, running through the first week of June. Star players like Ajinkya Rahane, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Prithvi Shaw, and Sarfaraz Khan will play as icon players. Rohit Sharma has been announced as the brand ambassador of the league, adding further prestige to the city’s cricketing showcase.
