The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) recently announced its decision to name stands at Wankhede after Rohit Sharma, former India captain Ajit Wadekar, and former BCCI president and ICC chairman Sharad Pawar. “No one dreams of things like this when they are just starting off playing cricket,” Rohit said after being unveiled as the brand ambassador for the third edition of the T20 Mumbai League.

Acknowledging the difficulty of accessing the stadium as a fan in those days, Rohit added, “I know how tough it was to get inside the Wankhede Stadium back then. Even now, obviously, no random (people) will be allowed inside the stadium… but those were the days.” Level 3 of the Divecha Pavilion will now bear his name. “Now, 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.

He added, “When you start playing the game, you don't know how long you are going to play for; let alone all these milestones and achievements that you achieve. But to get this kind of honour, having a stand named after you, is something that I cannot imagine.” “Once I see my name there on the stand, it will be a very emotional moment for me. From not having to enter the stadium and now to having a stand, those two moments, so much has happened between these two moments. So, I am forever grateful,” Rohit said.

Taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane, Rohit recalled his early days as a young aspiring cricketer. “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,” he said. “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 also paid tribute to the legacy of Mumbai cricket and its impact on his own career. “If you look at the Indian team in the 1970s and 80s, there were eight or nine cricketers representing India from Mumbai. It's just because of pure talent,” he said. While acknowledging the professionalism of players from across the country, he pointed to the unique heritage of Mumbai cricket. “Every cricketer in India is quite professional. I cannot draw any comparison between Mumbai and outside cricketers but all I can say is that Mumbai cricket has such a rich culture, legacy, and history,” he noted.