Rohit Sharma is set to have a stand named after him at the famous Wankhede Stadium, and he’s really excited about it. The captain of India’s Test and ODI teams calls this a “huge honor.” It’s pretty cool to think back to when he was just a kid who couldn’t even get into the stadium. Recently, the Mumbai Cricket Association decided to honor Rohit by naming one of the stands during their Annual General Meeting, and that’s not all. They’re also naming stands after Ajit Wadekar, a cricket legend, and former BCCI president Sharad Pawar.
When Rohit spoke about the news on Sunday, he shared his thoughts about how surreal it feels. It’s a huge honor, he said. As a kid, I wasn’t allowed to come to the stadium at times. But now that I’ve played so much cricket here, having that stand is a big deal for me. When I hear my name associated with it, I honestly don’t know how to respond. He’s certainly earned his place among the greats of the game, not just for his batting skills but also for being a standout captain who led India to two ICC titles in less than a year. His records include the highest individual score in ODI history, which is an impressive 264 runs.
Rohit also reminisced about his younger days when getting into Wankhede was a challenge. At a recent event, he remembered how he had to stand outside just to see players practice for the Ranji Trophy. Nobody dreams about things like this when they first start playing cricket, he reflected. I remember those days vividly, standing outside Wankhede, hoping to sneak a peek at the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team during practice in 2003 or 2004.
He shared how after finishing their training in the Under-14 and Under-16 teams at Azad Maidan, he and his friends would make the trek across the railway tracks just to catch a glimpse of some of the Ranji Trophy stars. It was tough getting inside Wankhede back then. Even now, not just anyone can waltz into the stadium, but those were memorable times. I look back and cherish those moments, he said, bringing a personal touch to the story. It’s clear that Rohit’s journey, from a curious kid to a celebrated cricket captain, makes this recognition all the more special for him.
