CRICKET POLL

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) unveiled the Rohit Sharma Stand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday. Two other stands, named after Sharad Pawar, former MCA, BCCI and ICC chief, and Ajit Wadekar, a former India skipper, were also unveiled by the association. In addition, the MCA Office Lounge, dedicated in memory of former President late Amol Kale, was also inaugurated.

Expressing gratitude, Rohit said, "Wankhede has always been incredibly special to me. It's where I began to dream about my journey in professional cricket, experienced some of the most unforgettable moments of my career, and the energy of the Mumbai crowd has always lifted me. To have a stand named after me at this iconic venue is overwhelming. It is a tribute to the dreams, support, and milestones that have shaped my journey and I am deeply thankful to MCA for this honour."

There are many stands at the Wankhede that have been named after icons like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Dilip Vengsarkar and Vijay Merchant but Rohit has the distinction of having a part of the stadium dedicated to him while he is still an active cricketer.

The families of Rohit, Pawar, Wadekar and Kale were present at the occasion.

MCA president Ajinkya Naik said the association will do everything to preserve the heritage of Mumbai cricket. "Dedicating the stands and the MCA Office Lounge to these iconic figures is our way of embedding their legacy into the very fabric of Wankhede Stadium. Each of them has played a transformative role in shaping Mumbai cricket's identity and progress. As we honour their immense contributions, with Wankhede celebrating 50 glorious years, we reaffirm our commitment to preserving and celebrating the heritage of this historic ground that continues to write new history for cricket," Naik said.

New, larger stadium in Mumbai?

State Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis suggested to the MCA that it may submit a proposal to the state government for a larger stadium in the city. "We encourage the MCA to submit a proposal, and I assure you that we will construct an even larger stadium capable of accommodating over one hundred thousand spectators. Mumbai and Maharashtra are home to countless cricket enthusiasts, and it is our duty to provide them with a venue that reflects their passion for the sport," Fadnavis said.