In a heartfelt tribute to one of Mumbai’s finest cricketers, the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) has officially renamed a stand at the iconic Wankhede Stadium after Rohit Sharma. The announcement was made during the MCA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 15, marking a significant gesture towards the former Mumbai Indians (MI) captain’s enduring contribution to cricket.
The Divecha Pavilion Level 3 will now be known as the Rohit Sharma Stand, honouring the 36-year-old who has been a mainstay for both India and the Mumbai franchise. The MCA also confirmed similar dedications for former India captain Ajit Wadekar and long-serving MCA president Sharad Pawar.
The Level 3 section of the Grand Stand will now bear Pawar’s name, while Level 4 has been renamed in honour of Wadekar, further celebrating the state’s rich cricketing heritage.
“Another key resolution passed during the AGM was the approval of the naming of stands at Wankhede Stadium, a proposal initially put forward by Mr. Milind Narvekar and seconded by Mr. Jitendra Awhad,” the MCA release stated.
In addition to these honours, the MCA Pavilion’s match-day office has been renamed the MCA Office Lounge in memory of Amol Kale, the late MCA president who passed away during his tenure. This renaming is seen as a poignant acknowledgment of Kale’s leadership and service to Maharashtra cricket.
While the tribute to Sharma is timely and significant, the current season has been challenging for the MI opener. With just 56 runs from five games at a lowly average of 11.20, his form has starkly contrasted with last year’s impressive tally of 417 runs in 14 matches, which included a century and a blistering strike rate of 150.
Mumbai Indians themselves have struggled to find consistency, managing only two wins in six matches and currently sitting seventh on the points table. The team will be hoping the honour at Wankhede serves as inspiration for Sharma to rediscover his rhythm and lead from the front in the crucial fixtures ahead.
As the Wankhede Stadium evolves to immortalize legends of the game, this latest move by the MCA ensures that the legacies of Rohit Sharma, Ajit Wadekar, and Sharad Pawar remain etched in the heart of Mumbai cricket.
