As Rohit Sharma bids adieu to Test cricket, he is set to receive a remarkable honour — a stand at the iconic Wankhede Stadium is set to be named after him. This is no small feat, considering his journey began on the streets of Borivali, where breaking windowpanes during street cricket unknowingly set him on a path he could scarcely have imagined.
On May 16 at around 4:30 pm, in the presence of not just family and friends but also dignitaries, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) will inaugurate Level three of the Divecha Pavilion as the Rohit Sharma Stand. The event will be graced by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, as well.
“No one dreams of things like this when they start playing cricket,” Rohit had said during the launch of the T20 Mumbai League, his voice faltering slightly as he tried to articulate his emotions. From a wide-eyed fan in the stands to becoming a name etched into the very heart of Mumbai and Indian cricket — it was a full-circle moment.
“Back then, a few of my friends and I would cross the railway tracks just to catch a glimpse of Ranji Trophy cricketers. It was tough to even get inside the stadium,” Rohit recalled. “When I finally played my first match at the Wankhede, it was a huge honour. And to share the field with some of the greats — that was another level altogether.”
The inauguration, initially scheduled for May 13, had to be postponed due to the temporary suspension of IPL 2025 following rising tensions between India and Pakistan. With the situation now stabilised and a ceasefire in place, the ceremony was rescheduled to Friday, May 16 at 4:30 pm IST.
The MCA had taken the decision to honour Rohit during its 86th Annual General Meeting held on April 15. Officials cited his immense contribution to both Mumbai and Indian cricket — as a player and a leader — as the primary reason behind the move.
Rohit has now announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect, bringing to a close an illustrious career that spanned 67 matches, yielding 4,301 runs, including 12 centuries and 18 fifties, at an average of 40.57. Remarkably, India maintained a 100 per cent win record in Tests where Rohit scored a century.
From the dusty pitches of Azad Maidan to a stand bearing his name at the Wankhede, Rohit’s journey continues to inspire a city that never stops dreaming.
“No matter how rough the day has been, forget about today and focus on tomorrow,” Rohit said in his parting message. “Never lose faith in yourself, because there’s always an opportunity waiting. You can only conquer the next day if you’re 100 per cent ready — so don’t lose hope, don’t lose faith, and keep believing that you can turn things around.”
For Latest Sports News Follow: RevSportz