The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) honored Rohit Sharma by unveiling the ‘Rohit Sharma Stand’ at Wankhede Stadium on Friday. The Indian ODI captain attended the ceremony with his family, inviting his parents to press the buzzer and inaugurate the stand, marking a special moment in his career.
The Grand Unveiling of the Rohit Sharma Stand
Under the bright Mumbai sky, a large crowd gathered to witness an emotional and historic unveiling. The ceremony reached peak sentimentality when Rohit invited his parents, brother, sister-in-law, and wife Ritika to join him on stage. His parents pressed the buzzer, officially inaugurating the stand — a scene that tugged at the heartstrings of everyone present.
Rohit’s Speech – A Mix of Emotion and Humor
Holding back tears, Rohit said, “It’s a surreal feeling. Especially with my family here — my biggest supporters.” The crowd responded with thunderous applause as he expressed gratitude for their sacrifices.
Rohit said, “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 it. As a kid growing up, wanting to play for Mumbai, for India, no one thinks about things like these. For me, it’s like any other sportsman who wants to give their best. Serve the nation, the country as much as possible. While doing that you try and achieve a lot of things, A lot of milestones are created but something like this is really special. Wankhede is such an iconic stadium, there are so many memories here.”
In classic Rohit style, he brought humor into the mix, joking that his Mumbai Indians teammates were eagerly waiting for his speech to end so they could start training. It was light-hearted, personal, and made everyone chuckle.
“Of course, not to forget, my very special team, Mumbai Indians is also here. I’m pretty sure they are waiting for my speech to get over so they can start training! Thank you for coming here and supporting,” said Rohit.
View this post on Instagram
The Presence of Dignitaries
The event wasn’t just about cricket. It was attended by notable figures such as Sharad Pawar, a key figure in Indian cricket administration, and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. Their presence highlighted the significance of the occasion. The Mumbai Cricket Association played a crucial role in honoring one of its greatest sons. With this gesture, MCA added another chapter to Wankhede’s glorious legacy.
Rohit added, “For me to have my name amongst the greats of the game and the world’s top political leaders, I cannot express what the feelings are. For that I am really really grateful, honoured and very thankful to all MCA members and not to forget the Apex Council Member. For me to be honored, while I am playing makes it special. I have retired from two formats but I am still playing one format. It’ll be a surreal feeling when I come here and play on the 21st against the Delhi Capitals, representing Mumbai Indians. It’ll be a very special feeling.”
The Importance of the Stand Dedication
Rohit now stands shoulder to shoulder with Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, and Vijay Merchant — legends who also have stands named after them. This dedication means more than just honor. It’s a message that Mumbai nurtures its own and rewards excellence.
The Emotional Test Retirement
Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket after a 67-match career, scoring 4,301 runs. His departure marks the end of an era, with tributes from fans, experts, and players recognizing his impact on the game. With Rohit stepping away from Tests and Kohli retired too, BCCI has tough decisions to make. Rohit took time during his speech to thank his early coaches. From school cricket to the national stage, he credited them for shaping his career.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
