MCA to unveil Rohit Sharma, Ajit Wadekar and Sharad Pawar stands on May 16

Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. (Photo Source: BCCI)

The Mumbai Cricket Association will inaugurate the stands named after India’s ODI skipper , former India captain Ajit Wadekar, and ex-ICC, BCCI and MCA chief Sharad Pawar on May 16. The event was initially scheduled to take place on May 13, but had to be postponed due to the cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.

The grandeur event will also include the dedication of the MCA Office Lounge in memory of the association’s former president Amol Kale. The MCA had decided to name the stands in the 86th Annual General Meeting on April 15.

The Divecha Pavilion Level 3 stand will be named after Rohit, who led India to the 2024 T20 World Cup in USA and West Indies and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The 38-year-old retired from the T20Is after the 2024 T20 World Cup victory and announced his retirement from the red-ball format on May 7. The batter can be seen in the Indian jersey in the upcoming ODI fixtures. 

The Grand Stand Level 4 will be named as the Ajit Wadekar Stand. The left-handed batter led India to maiden Test series victories in the West Indies and England in 1971. This win marked a significant turn over for Indian cricket legacy. The top-order batter played 37 Test matches and two One-Day Internationals between 1966 and 1974. He played 237 first-class matches and the legendary cricketer passed away in August 2018 at the age of 77.

The Grand Stand Level 3 will be named as the Pawar Stand. He was regarded as the MCA’s ‘mentor’ and is widely respected for a successful tenure as the MCA president from 2001 to 2013 and again from 2013 to 2016. During the period, the MCA hosted the 2011 World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.