Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium paid a heartfelt tribute to Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma by naming a stand after him, sparking an emotional moment for the cricketer and his family.
The ceremony on Friday was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP (SP) Chief Sharad Pawar. Rohit Sharma, visibly moved, brought his parents—Gurunath and Purnima Sharma—and wife Ritika Sajdeh to the stage for the inauguration.
As Rohit’s parents and the CM jointly pressed the buzzer to officially unveil the newly-named “Rohit Sharma Stand,” fireworks lit up the sky and emotions ran high. Rohit’s parents were seen wiping away tears, while Ritika grew emotional, quietly standing behind her father-in-law as the tribute unfolded.
Speaking at the ceremony, Rohit shared his gratitude:
“It’s going to be even more special to have my family here—my parents, brother, and wife. I’m grateful for all their sacrifices. What is happening today is beyond what I ever dreamed. I just wanted to play for Mumbai and India. To now have my name among the legends of this game is indescribable.”
Rohit recently retired from Test and T20I cricket and will now focus solely on ODIs and IPL. His leadership over the past few years has been remarkable—guiding India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, as well as leading them to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, Rohit Sharma’s legacy continues to grow—not just as a player and captain, but now also as a permanent fixture at the Wankhede Stadium.
