Former Mumbai captain Shishir Hattangadi has urged the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to honor former India all-rounder and head coach Ravi Shastri by naming a part of the Wankhede Stadium after him. In May, the MCA unveiled stands named after cricket stalwarts such as Rohit Sharma, Ajit Wadekar, and Sharad Pawar. Despite Shastri's considerable contribution to Indian cricket, Hattangadi was surprised to learn that there wasn't a single mention of his name.

Hattangadi took the initiative to write directly to the MCA, urging the body to reconsider. He stressed that Shastri's impact was much greater than numbers or averages; it was the culture of modern Indian cricket and their success. Such recognition at Wankhede would, in Hattangadi’s view, preserve Mumbai’s rich cricketing legacy and inspire future generations.

Urging MCA to Reconsider the Oversight

“I must express my surprise and concern at the omission of Ravi Shastri, former India captain, all-rounder, and national coach, from the list of names commemorated at the stadium. His legacy is well known—not just the iconic feat of hitting six sixes in an over in a first-class game, following in the footsteps of Sir Gary Sobers, but also for his impactful career as a player and his significant role in shaping modern Indian cricket as a coach,” Hattangadi wrote to MCA President Ajinkya Naik, as per The Times of India.

“This omission, intentional or not, overlooks a major chapter in Mumbai and Indian cricket’s story. I do not wish to delve into statistics, as Shastri’s legacy is not just in numbers but in the influence he has had on the game—both on and off the field,” he added.

Hattangadi also called for a re-examination of the oversight in not naming anything after Shastri at the iconic Mumbai venue while emphasizing his tremendous impact on Indian and Mumbai cricket requires such recognition.

“As someone who deeply respects the administration and its role in preserving the sport’s heritage, I urge the MCA to re-examine this oversight. A richer understanding of cricket’s history and the personalities that shaped it will only strengthen our future,” Hattangadi wrote.

Hattangadi concluded, “As someone who deeply respects the administration and its role in preserving the sport’s heritage, I urge the MCA to re-examine this oversight... This is an observation and not a political statement.”

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Ravi Shastri appeared in 80 Tests and 150 ODIs for 6,938 runs and 280 wickets. He was a part of India's victorious World Cup side in 1983 and was the Player of the Tournament at the 1985 World Championship. He also became one of two men to join Sir Garry Sobers in hitting six sixes in an over during a Ranji Trophy match. 

In his capacity as coach, he oversaw historic Test series wins in Australia (2018-19 and 2020-21) and also led a team to the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup. His ambassadorship as a focal figure of Indian cricket remains in the foreground of sport both on and off the field.

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) made a much-anticipated announcement today (May 24) about the official ticket sales for T20 Mumbai League, one of Mumbai's most popular franchise-based twenty-twenty tournaments, which is set to commence its third season after a six-year break.

The high-voltage tournament is set to take place from June 4 to 12 across two iconic venues in the country—Wankhede Stadium and DY Patil Stadium. The official ticket selling process has just begun, and the price starts from INR 100 only. The prices of the tickets depend on the category.

The highest price of a ticket is INR 400 for the Garware Pavilion Level 2. People can buy their tickets in the District by Zomato. To make this season's tournament more attractive, MCA has attached some extra star power with the league.

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Daily dose of entertainment with extra star-power

Fans can spot India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, and Prithvi Shaw on the ground. Mumbai's own young talents, like Musheer Khan and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, will also feature in the league.

🚨 T20 MUMBAI LEAGUE TICKETS 🚨

Fans can buy T20 Mumbai League tickets from District by Zomato app, starting with 100 rs.

Matches will be held at Wankhede stadium & DY Patil Stadium from June 4 to 12.

Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube & Prithvi Shaw… pic.twitter.com/EKDZOWA4xI

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 24, 2025

A total of 8 teams— North Mumbai Panthers (Horizon Sports India Private Limited), ARCS Andheri (Arcs Sports & Entertainment Private Limited), Triumph Knights Mumbai North East (Transcon Triumph Knights Private Limited), Bandra Blasters (Pk Sports Ventures Private Limited), Eagle Thane Strikers (Eagle Infra India Ltd.), Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs (World Star Premier League LLP), SoBo Mumbai Falcons (Roadway Solutions India Infra Ltd.), and Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals (Royal Edge Sports & Entertainment)—will battle for the title. The tournament will contain a total of 23 matches. 

The first look of the newly named Rohit Sharma Stand at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium was leaked online on May 16, 2025, just hours before its official unveiling by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). The stand, in India's and Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma's honor for his incredible contributions, among them five titles with MI in the IPL, was announced by the MCA in April 2025, and its pictures have now emerged on social media to create a buzz among cricket followers.

The pictures leaked show the stand at the northern end of Wankhede, and it has a clean design with Rohit's name above a silhouette of his batting stance against a blue-and-gold color that is the team colors of the Mumbai Indians. The dedication acknowledges Rohit's heritage, having scored 402 runs in 11 international matches in the stadium and having initiated chants of "Mumbai cha Raja." The dedication is to be inaugurated at 3:00 PM IST on May 16, 2025, and will be attended by MCA president Ajinkya Naik and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, with the timing awareness that the IPL 2025 will restart on May 17 after a week's break following the India-Pakistan tensions.

A Tribute to Cricketing Legend of Mumbai

Rohit joins an elite group of Mumbai cricketing legends on the honors board and has now joined all the other players who have had stands named after them at Wankhede, such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Vijay Merchant, and Dilip Vengsarkar. Social media fans have welcomed the stand with glee, pronouncing it a "fitting tribute" to Rohit's career, although some criticized the MCA for the leak, claiming it took away the surprise factor of the official announcement.

First View of Rohit Sharma stand❤️ pic.twitter.com/bGsvr3Fz7x

— Tata IPL 2025 Commentary (@IPL2025Auction) May 16, 2025

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The leak comes at a time when Mumbai Indians are building up towards their IPL 2025 match against Delhi Capitals on May 21 at Wankhede, where Rohit Sharma's team, placed fourth with 14 points from 12 games, is chasing to make it into the playoffs. The Rohit Sharma Stand will be a permanent memorial at this iconic venue, inspiring future generations of players and fans as Wankhede continues to stage marquee games.

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is set to honor India captain Rohit Sharma by naming a stand after him at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on May 16, 2025, as announced during the MCA’s Annual General Meeting on April 15, 2025.  The MCA is fortunate to follow such a recognized path and honor Rohit Sharma for his fine contributions to Mumbai and India throughout his career, including his five IPL titles with the Mumbai Indians and 402 runs at the stadium in international cricket. The announcement was made a day before IPL 2025 resumes on May 17 and is likely a highly emotional decision, especially getting to honor Rohit Sharma.

Wankhede Stadium has a special place in the history of the game, and Mumbai cricket has always honored their great players since 1975, which has established a stand at the Wankhede Stadium with the names of the great Mumbai cricketers who played. As noted by MCA president Ajinkya Naik, "Those stands represent the legacy of those who built Mumbai's cricketing spirit - brick by brick, run by run." Rohit, aptly known as the "Mumbai cha Raja" (King of Mumbai), is a point of pride for the city and its fans, and having Daniel mention his journey to the ground that scripted many moments (especially iconic ones) is a fitting tribute. Here is the list of Mumbai Legends Stands at Wankhede.

Sachin Tendulkar

The Sachin Tendulkar Stand recognizes the "Master Blaster," who scored 34,357 international runs with 100 international centuries, a record. Tendulkar, the greatest Mumbai-born cricketer, scored his last international run at Wankhede in 2013, against South Africa. His stand is dedicated to his unmatched legacy in Indian cricket.

Sunil Gavaskar

The Sunil Gavaskar Stand commemorates the "Little Master," who first reached 10,000 Test runs and who finished with 10,122 Test runs in 125 Tests. Gavaskar is also a Mumbai boy, and his double-century of 205 runs against the West Indies at Wankhede in 1978 is memorable. His stand is fitting for Indian batting's leading light.

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Vijay Merchant

The Vijay Merchant Stand pays tribute to the Mumbai great who scored 3,597 runs in 10 Tests, averaging 47.72. Merchant, who was technically brilliant, was also instrumental in Mumbai's wealth and strength in domestic cricket, and now he has a stand at Wankhede Stadium, which signifies his contribution to the cricketing history of the city.

Dilip Vengsarkar

The Dilip Vengsarkar Stand pays tribute to the ‘Colonel,' who made 6,868 runs in Tests, inclusive of three centuries at Wankhede Stadium. A Mumbai stalwart whose elegance set the tone for an entire era of Indian cricket, the stand is named after Vengsarkar to acknowledge his impact on Mumbai cricket.

With Rohit Sharma now part of this group, Wankhede Stadium continues to stand as a temple of Mumbai cricket, serving as inspiration for future generations of cricketers to carry the mantle of these legends.

The T20 Mumbai League 2025 is returning after six years with a bang. The thrilling competition will be played between May 26 and June 8 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. Promoted by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), the league is famous for providing opportunities for young cricketers to establish themselves and gain experience from stars.

Eight icon players have been signed by the MCA this year, and they have all played for India. They are among the best and most successful Mumbai cricketers. They include Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur, Prithvi Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, and Tushar Deshpande.

Coming back with such stalwart names, the league will inspire budding cricketers and thrill the audience, says MCA President Ajinkya Naik. He is confident that these legends are the real ambassadors of and pass on the true spirit and legacy of Mumbai cricket and will guide young talent through the tournament.

🚨 THE ICON PLAYERS OF MUMBAI T20 LEAGUE 🚨

Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Prithvi Shaw. [Gaurav Gupta from TOI] pic.twitter.com/8HXRFNn8Gj

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 28, 2025

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Eight Franchises, Mentorship, and Huge Player Response

 There will be eight teams in the ongoing season, two of which will be new. All the teams are North Mumbai Panthers, ARCS Andheri, Triumph Knights, Namo Bandra Blasters, Eagle Thane Strikers, Aakash Tigers, and new teams SoBo Mumbai Falcons and Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals. Each team can select one icon player to strengthen their team. The auction will take place on a date to be announced in the near future.

Besides the star players, veteran mentors such as Abhishek Nayar and Paras Mhambrey have also joined to ensure there is player development. The league has received more than 2800 registrations, which indicates the massive level of excitement among the players to be on the platform. The T20 Mumbai League 2025 will certainly be an exciting and memorable cricket carnival with the right blend of experience and young guns.

Abhishek Nayar, recently shacked from team India's assistant coach duties, will join the third season of the T20 Mumbai League with the Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals as their mentor. Another renowned name in the Indian cricket circuit, Paras Mhambrey, who was an integral part of the Men in Blue brigade during Rahul Dravid's coaching era, is all set to join ARCS Andheri as a mentor.

Nayar and Mhambrey both received their appointment letters from their respective franchises to guide budding talents. T20 Mumbai League , one of the most popular and impactful franchise tournaments for Indian domestic cricket, after a long six-year break, is heading towards its third season, which is scheduled to start on May 26 and conclude on June 8, containing eight teams.

Abhishek Nayar and Paras Mhambrey, with years of coaching experience, can be proved to be the right persons to promote young talents. After relief from the national team duties, Nayar joined IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders, the champion of IPL 2024, where he was an instrumental figure for the Knights.

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This year's T20 Mumbai League is going to be huge, as the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) appointed Team India skipper Rohit Sharma as the face of the tournament, and over 2,800 players registered their names for the third season of the league.

Indian cricket fans are waiting for T20 Mumbai League 2025

Multiple talented players like Shivam Dube, Tushar Deshpande, and Shams Mulani, who are currently thriving in IPL, first came under the spotlight when they displayed their skills in Mumbai's own franchise league. MCA recently announced a list containing the names of the coaches appointed by the respective teams. 

Check the list some other mentors here:

• Omkar Salvi (SoBo Mumbai Falcons) 
• Rajesh Pawar (ARCS Andheri)
• Atul Ranade (Triumph Knights Mumbai North East)
• Amit Dani (Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals)
• Prashant Shetty (Eagle Thane Strikers)
• Pravin Tambe (North Mumbai Panthers)
• Vinod Raghvan (Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs)
• Namo Bandra Blasters has yet to announce their coach's name. 

Rohit Sharma, Indian cricket team captain and Mumbai superstar player, can look forward to receiving a big honor at the Wankhede Stadium in the near future. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) conducted a council meeting where they were considering the possibility of naming one of the stadium stands after him. This is being proposed as a gesture of appreciation for his years of long-time service to Indian cricket and his successes throughout the years.

Wankhede Stadium is a very special place for Indian cricket. Many legendary matches have been staged here, including the 2011 World Cup final. Rohit Sharma has also made many unforgettable innings on this ground. He is one of the best captains in the history of IPL and has also made many records in international cricket. It would be a moment of pride for him and also the city of Mumbai if a stand were named after him.

If this decision comes through, Rohit will be in the company of Sachin Tendulkar, who already has a stand dedicated to his name at Wankhede. It indicates how much the city cherishes its cricket legends. Rohit's rags-to-riches story from being a young boy in Mumbai to becoming India's captain is motivational for many cricket fans and aspirants.

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🚨 ROHIT SHARMA'S STAND AT WANKHEDE 🚨

- At the MCA Council meeting, the association discussed naming one stand on Indian Captain Rohit Sharma at Wankhede stadium. (The Indian Express). pic.twitter.com/YKmJYELu0q

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) April 8, 2025

Why This Honor Matters for Rohit and Mumbai

Rohit Sharma has always been proud of his Mumbai roots. He started his cricketing journey here and represented the city with fervour at all times. The people of Mumbai have also stood behind him at all times, through his highs and lows. Giving it to him here at Wankhede is not only a personal achievement for Rohit, but a pride of experience for every Mumbaikar.

This act will also inspire many young cricketers who visit matches at the stadium. Witnessing a stand in honor of a player who used to practice on the same grounds can be greatly inspiring. It sends a strong message  that hard work and determination can lead you to the top, and your achievement will be remembered for eternity.

Shifts in Mumbai Cricket: Top Players Changing

Another renowned batter is said to be contemplating an exit, causing significant change in Mumbai cricket. Conversations have surfaced that Suryakumar Yadav could also be on his way out only hours after Yashasvi Jaiswal sent an email asking for a No Objection Certificate (NOC).

Recently moved to the Elite Group in the Ranji Trophy, the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) is aggressively searching for players nationwide. Though conversations with Suryakumar are still ongoing, those with Jaiswal were settled days earlier. Furthermore, reports indicate that Hyderabad captain Tilak Varma has gotten offers.

Though Shamba Desai, the GCA secretary, would not name players, she verified ongoing conversations under interrogation. ;We are now negotiating with quite a few national players. I can't give you a name now. Desai informed TimesofIndia.com that we will be completing other professional player shortly.

Reasons for the uncertainty in Mumbai Camp and for the relocation

There is much conjecture that Suryakumar Yadav is persuading athletes to contemplate changing. Reportedly, Ajinkya Naik, president of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), has been meeting on the surprise exits.

Jaiswal's intention to relocate has already generated some debate. Having been approached by GCA over a week ago, he looked for an NOC. His exit is related to past events, among them a rift with Ajinkya Rahane during the 2022 Duleep Trophy and whispers of discontent in the Mumbai dressing room. Jaiswal's skipping of the Ranji Trophy semifinal against Vidarbha due to an ankle problem added more fuel to the fire.

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Jaiswal's captaincy aspirations influenced his choice, which reports say he discussed with senior Mumbai teammates beforehand. Still, his timing of his departure is unexpected since it aligns with the ongoing Indian Premier League, where he is flying with Rajasthan Royals (RR) for their April 5 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS).

Although neither Jaiswal nor Suryakumar has formally announced their departure, these events point to major transformations with in Mumbai cricket.

Mumbai has ever been the epicenter of Indian cricket, cranking out some of the greatest players in the sport. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has opened India's first cricket museum set up by a state cricket association. This museum is a tribute to the glorious history of Indian cricket and a chance for the fans to see the rich heritage of the sport.

A Tribute to Cricket History
The MCA Cricket Museum has one-of-a-kind memorabilia, legendary photographs, historic relics, and trophies that showcase the history of Indian cricket. The fans are able to see how the game developed and relive moments that have contributed to cricket in India being what it is today.

🚨 FIRST CRICKET MUSEUM IN INDIA BY A STATE CRICKET ASSOCIATION 🚨

- A Great initiative by Mumbai Cricket, to let the fans witness in Cricket Legacy. pic.twitter.com/6guox1nodg

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 28, 2025

Why This Museum is Unique
This is the first time a state cricket association has come forward to create a special cricket museum. Mumbai has been the epicenter of Indian cricket, with greats such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Rohit Sharma. The museum celebrates these cricketing legends and their cricketing exploits.
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What to Expect for Visitors

• Visitors to the museum who are fans of the game will be able to see:
  
• Legendary player bats, jerseys, and equipment
  
• Historic moments captured in rare photographs
  
• Mumbai cricket team trophies and awards won
  
• A page for the contribution of Mumbai to Indian cricket

On January 31, 2025, a good thing happened at the major cricket game in Pune at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. It was the 4th T20 game where the India and England teams were playing. A large, unique helicopter with spinning blades landed close to the location where they were playing. It was a very special helicopter, and that made the game seem even bigger and more unique.

The major sports location in Maharashtra said they made special spots for very key people and VIPs to get into the stadium. They didn't tell everyone the name of the very important guest, but it is usually someone such as a major leader, a famous person, or someone from the government. To help these important guests get in easily, they made sure the guests came in through gate 2 and gate 5, and they made sure there were no traffic jams just for them.

Some VVIP landed his chopper quite close to MCA stadium. Who is it?#Pune #T20#INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/0b9nn8wXut

— Abhijit Deshmukh (@iabhijitdesh) January 31, 2025

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Helicopter landed for some really special people going to the trade. The people planning the trade did a substantial amount of planning to make it unfathomably amazing for these guests because the issue was a very big problem. The industry included special features to be sure the key people would have a wonderful experience. A large butterfly landed and it was really great. It showed that this game, the 4th T20 match between India and England, was of major importance. A large number of people who love cricket and people who are really special were extremely happy to watch it. Everyone thought it was important, not only the regular fans but also the major leaders.

A very special person came to the cricket game in a costume on January 31, 2025, but they're keeping it a secret who it was. They landed at the large MCA Stadium where the match between India and England was happening. They made the game very special for the special people watching, and having that atmosphere was part of making things really great for them.