Rohit Sharma Honored with Stadium Stand at Wankhede in Emotional Ceremony
A Special Tribute to Rohit Sharma
On Friday, cricket sensation Rohit Sharma expressed heartfelt gratitude to his family during a touching ceremony at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, where a stand was named in his honor. With tears in his eyes and a voice filled with emotion, Rohit invited his parents onto the stage, recognizing their sacrifices that enabled him to chase his cricketing aspirations.
“Having my family here – my parents, brother, and wife – makes this moment even more special. I am truly thankful for all they have given up for me,” Rohit shared during the event organized by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
The ceremony featured Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who joined Rohit and his family to officially unveil the ‘Rohit Sharma Stand,’ celebrated with fireworks and confetti. Rohit's wife, Ritika, stood proudly by his side, radiating happiness.
The 38-year-old cricketer reflected on the significance of the occasion, calling it a realization of a childhood dream.
“As a child, I aspired to play for Mumbai and India. To have my name alongside the legends of the sport is beyond words,” he remarked.
Although Rohit has stepped back from Test and T20I formats, he continues to participate in ODIs. He emphasized that this tribute is even more meaningful as it occurs while he is still an active player.
“It will feel surreal to play on the 21st (for Mumbai Indians in the IPL) with a stand named after me. Representing my country here will be incredibly special,” he noted, hinting at his wish to play another ODI at Wankhede.
The Wankhede Stadium is particularly significant for Rohit, marking the beginning of his cricketing journey.
“While I strive to achieve many milestones, this one is truly exceptional. Wankhede is an iconic venue filled with countless memories,” Rohit added.
He also expressed gratitude to former BCCI president Sharad Pawar and CM Devendra Fadnavis for making the event unforgettable. Both Pawar and former Indian captain Ajit Wadekar were similarly honored with stands named after them.