Sharad Pawar stand unveiled at Wankhede stadium by Maharashtra CM

The Sharad Pawar Stand at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on May 16, 2025, to memorialize the enormity of contributions made by legendary administrator Sharad Pawar to the City of Mumbai and Indian cricket. Chief Minister Fadnavis was joined by MCA president Ajinkya Naik and many other dignitaries on this momentous occasion at Wankhede. The inauguration also included stands recognized as the Rohit Sharma and Ajit Wadekar stands and the MCA Office Lounge in memory of former president Amol Kale. The commemorative stand of Sharad Pawar was recently displayed on Instagram by CricTracker, together with a picture of the blue sign stating 'Sharad Pawar Stand,' a recognition that verifies his legacy in cricket administration both in India and the world.

Sharad Pawar, a former MCA president and significant player in the Indian cricket establishment, was integral in lifting cricket in India significantly throughout his earlier period as BCCI president from 2005 to 2008 and as ICC president from 2010 to 2012. Pawar's impact can also be measured through overseeing the redevelopment of Wankhede Stadium for the 2011 World Cup, when India won the trophy. The unveiling of the Sharad Pawar Stand, which was first reported by News18, was timed perfectly to coincide with what Mumbai cherishes as its own moment of pride, with the Honorable Fadnavis pointing out that Pawar's efforts brought up Mumbai's overall cricketing standards. The ceremony was also being held at a significant stage in the IPL 2025 season, now on hiatus for a week due to political strife between India and Pakistan and set to resume on May 17.

The ceremony wanted to mark Mumbai's culture of honoring its cricketing heroes, with Wankhede Stadium already recognizing past, present, and future cricketing legends by naming its stands after the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Vijay Merchant, and Dilip Vengsarkar. During the ceremony, a framed illustration of the Sharad Pawar Stand was provided, signifying an acknowledgement of administrative impact.

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Also Read: WATCH: Rohit Sharma stand unveiled at Wankhede stadium amidst grand ceremony

A Legacy Beyond the Field

Sharad Pawar's impact on cricket goes far beyond the confines of Mumbai, having guided the BCCI through crucial reforms such as the Lodha Committee suggestions even after resigning as MCA president in 2017 due to age limits. During his time, cricket infrastructure expanded, and the sport became professional in India, for which he was a primary architect of the new era.

The Sharad Pawar Stand is added to other recent dedications at Wankhede, including the Rohit Sharma Stand, dedicated on the same date, and the '10000 Gavaskar' boardroom at the BCCI headquarters, dedicated on May 15. As Wankhede Stadium remains an icon of cricketing excellence, the named stand by Pawar will motivate generations to come, representing his lasting influence on the sport and the city of Mumbai.