Stands in Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium were inaugurated on Friday in the name of Indian ODI team captain Rohit Sharma and NCP (Sharad faction) president Sharad Pawar. During this, along with Rohit and Sharad Pawar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present. Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officially inaugurated the stands in the name of former batsman Ajit Wadekar besides Rohit and Pawar. Apart from this, the lounge of MCA office has been inaugurated in the name of former MCA president Amol Kale.

Apart from Rohit-Pawar, stand was also named after Vengsarkar
MCA had passed a proposal to name the stands after these three legends during the Annual General Meeting last month. Wankhede Stadium Grand Stand Level 3 has been named Sharad Pawar Stand, Grand Stand Level 4 has been named Ajit Wadekar Stand and Divecha Pavilion Level 3 has been named Rohit Sharma Stand. Earlier, stands have been named after many cricket legends at the Wankhede Stadium, including Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Vijay Merchant and Dilip Vengsarkar.

Rohit said - I cannot express the feeling in words

During the opening ceremony, Rohit said, whatever is happening today, I had never even dreamed that this would happen. Since childhood, I wanted to play for Mumbai and India. No one can think about this. For me, having my name with the legends of the game, I cannot express this feeling in words. It is also special because I am still playing. I have retired from two formats, but am still playing in one format.

Rohit expressed gratitude to the family

Rohit said, on the 21st, when I come here and play against Delhi Capitals representing Mumbai Indians, it will be an unreal feeling, because there is a stand named after me on this ground, so it is a very special feeling. It will be special when I come here to represent India. I am grateful to have received this great honour in front of so many people, especially my family, my mother and father, my brother, his wife and my wife, who are present here. I also thank these people for the sacrifices they have made for me. Apart from this, I would also like to specially thank my team Mumbai Indians.

Fadnavis praised the decision

Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis said, Mumbai Cricket Association has taken a great decision. We are celebrating those who have made us proud. The work he (Sharad Pawar) has done for the development of cricket as the President of BCCI, as the President of MCA, certainly he has contributed a lot to the platform on which we are watching cricket today and therefore, naming the stand after Pawar in Wankhede is a very right decision taken by MCA. I congratulate them for this.