MUMBAI: Filled with gratitude after the Mumbai Cricket Association named a stand at the iconic Wankhede Stadium after him at its AGM on April 15, India's Test & ODI captain Rohit Sharma on Friday described the feeling of the rare honour as "unreal."
"It’s an unreal feeling to have a stand on my name & I will forever be grateful - You never know how long you would play, but to get these honours is something I could never imagine," Rohit said at a glitzy inauguration ceremony of the third edition of the Mumbai T20 League , set to kick off on May 26.
Though he won't be able to participate in it due to India's upcoming tour of England, the 37-year-old will be the face of the league, which is being relaunched after the first two editions in 2018 & 19.
Recalling his early days as an Under-16 Mumbai cricketer who would struggle to catch a glimpse of Mumbai's Ranji Trophy stalwarts at the Wankhede Stadium, Rohit said it was an emotional moment to have a stand named after him at a venue where he would once not even be able to enter as a junior cricketer.
"The Wankhede Stadium now has a Rohit Sharma stand. I never dreamt something like this when I was starting out playing cricket. I remember those days when I wanted to enter and watch Mumbai Ranji team players in 2003-04. After our Under-16 team's training at the Azad Maidan, we would travel across the track to watch Mumbai Ranji players. Those were the days. When I played my first game, and now to experience that is a different experience," the veteran opener said.
Rohit revealed that his success mantra was simple: 'Forget about what happened: focus on what will come next.
"My success mantra is only one- forget what happened, focus on what will come next. You don't have control how your today will go, focus on the next day and what to do. Prepare for the next day and forget the present or those things which are not in your control. We must not lose faith in ourselves. You can't change what has happened. We need to be 100% ready and believe that we can turn things around."
lauding the MCA's contribution in his epic career, Rohit said, "Without them, I wouldn't be sitting here and talking about my game. They gave me that opportunity at the right time to play with stalwarts. The MCA played a big part (in my career). Whenever I want to train on their grounds or want the practice pitch ready, it's all there. For any athlete, getting to practice is a challenge. They ensured that the ground is always available (for training). The MCA has looked after its cricketers."
Meanwhile, Roadway Solutions India Infra Ltd and Royal Edge Sports & Entertainment were unveiled as the two new team operators for the upcoming season, along with six other team owners.
"It’s an unreal feeling to have a stand on my name & I will forever be grateful - You never know how long you would play, but to get these honours is something I could never imagine," Rohit said at a glitzy inauguration ceremony of the third edition of the Mumbai T20 League , set to kick off on May 26.
Though he won't be able to participate in it due to India's upcoming tour of England, the 37-year-old will be the face of the league, which is being relaunched after the first two editions in 2018 & 19.
Recalling his early days as an Under-16 Mumbai cricketer who would struggle to catch a glimpse of Mumbai's Ranji Trophy stalwarts at the Wankhede Stadium, Rohit said it was an emotional moment to have a stand named after him at a venue where he would once not even be able to enter as a junior cricketer.
"The Wankhede Stadium now has a Rohit Sharma stand. I never dreamt something like this when I was starting out playing cricket. I remember those days when I wanted to enter and watch Mumbai Ranji team players in 2003-04. After our Under-16 team's training at the Azad Maidan, we would travel across the track to watch Mumbai Ranji players. Those were the days. When I played my first game, and now to experience that is a different experience," the veteran opener said.
Rohit revealed that his success mantra was simple: 'Forget about what happened: focus on what will come next.
"My success mantra is only one- forget what happened, focus on what will come next. You don't have control how your today will go, focus on the next day and what to do. Prepare for the next day and forget the present or those things which are not in your control. We must not lose faith in ourselves. You can't change what has happened. We need to be 100% ready and believe that we can turn things around."
lauding the MCA's contribution in his epic career, Rohit said, "Without them, I wouldn't be sitting here and talking about my game. They gave me that opportunity at the right time to play with stalwarts. The MCA played a big part (in my career). Whenever I want to train on their grounds or want the practice pitch ready, it's all there. For any athlete, getting to practice is a challenge. They ensured that the ground is always available (for training). The MCA has looked after its cricketers."
Meanwhile, Roadway Solutions India Infra Ltd and Royal Edge Sports & Entertainment were unveiled as the two new team operators for the upcoming season, along with six other team owners.
You may also like
India's weather forecasting to face long-term impact of US move to downsize NOAA
Priyanka Chopra Jonas glows even after 24-hour flight
Assam Congress to examine allegations against party members ahead of local polls
"ChatGPT fixed my 5-year jaw problem in a minute": LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman shares viral Reddit win that doctors missed
"What happened in Murshidabad is an eye opener": BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul
