Rohit Sharma said it was an unreal feeling to have a stand named after him at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium. Level 3 of the Divecha Pavilion at the Wankhede Stadium will be named after Rohit, who led India to title wins in the T20 World Cup 2024 and in the Champions Trophy 2025.
It was recently that the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) announced naming a stand at the stadium after India’s Test and ODI skipper. Former captain Ajit Wadekar and former BCCI president and ICC chairman Sharad Pawar also had the honour of having a stand named after them.
“I still remember those days when I used to stand outside (the) Wankhede Stadium just to enter and watch Mumbai Ranji Trophy team practice; I am talking about 2004 or maybe 2003.
“We used to finish our U-14, U-16 training at Azad Maidan. Me, with a few of my friends, used to travel across the railway track to go and just get a glimpse of some of the Ranji Trophy cricketers,” he added.
The Mumbai Indians star said it was something beyond his imagination and he is likely to get emotional when he see his name on the stand. “…to sit back and think that there is going to be a stadium stand in my name, it is such an unreal feeling. It is something that I have never thought of and I will be forever grateful for this big honour in my life,” he said.
Rohit said it’s not everyone’s cup of tea to play for Mumbai citing their dominance in Ranji Trophy, which they had won a record 42 times. “Mumbai has won 42 titles. I think the next best is somewhere around 7 or 8, if I’m not wrong. So you can see the difference,” he said.