`To have my name here..`: Rohit Sharma reacts to Wankhede stand unveiling

It will be a `special feeling` for former Test captain Rohit Sharma to don the Indian ODI jersey at the Wankhede Stadium, where a stand was officially named in his honour on Friday.

#WATCH | Mumbai | At the inauguration ceremony of a stand in Wankhede to be named after him, Indian ODI men`s cricket team captain Rohit Sharma says, “It will be a surreal feeling on 21st when I come here and play against Delhi Capitals, representing Mumbai Indians, and to have a… pic.twitter.com/Jw8TflEP0Y

— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2025

Ladies and gentlemen, ROHIT SHARMA STAND at Wankhede 🥺🥺🥺💙 pic.twitter.com/2kePtZYrWq

— Vinesh Prabhu (@vlp1994) May 16, 2025

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) named a stand each at the Wankhede Stadium after Rohit, former India skipper Ajit Wadekar, and ex-BCCI president Sharad Pawar.

“I had never dreamt of what was going to happen today. You try to achieve a lot of milestones, but something like this is really special, because Wankhede is an iconic stadium and so many memories have been made here,” said Rohit, 38, who announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 7.

“To have my name here with the greats of the game and the world`s best political leader, I cannot express the feeling. I am super grateful.

“I am still playing and retired from two formats. It will be surreal to play when I play on 21st (for Mumbai Indians in IPL) and have a stand here, it will be special when I represent the country here,” added Rohit who has also retired from T20 Internationals after leading India to the World Cup trophy last year.

He also thanked his family members for the sacrifices they had made for him throughout his career.

“It`s going to be even more special, to have my family here, parents, brother, wife. I am grateful and thankful for whatever they have sacrificed for me.

“My special team MI is also here, waiting for my speech to be over and start training. Special thanks to Pawar Saheb and Devendra Fadnavis (Maharashtra Chief Minister), makes it very special, it`s a very special day.”

Fadnavis, on his part, said that his government will allot land if the MCA sends a proposal for a new stadium.

“Our iconic batter, captain and one of my favourites, and one who mesmerizes with his batting is present here,” the CM said.

“If there is a proposal from MCA for a new stadium, we will allot space for that to accommodate more fans,” he added.

(With inputs from PTI)

This article first appeared on Mid Day