Rohit Sharma gave a very emotional speech at the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) stand naming ceremony on May 16, 2025. The ceremony, at Wankhede Stadium, was the official naming of the Rohit Sharma Stand, in appreciation of his invaluable services to Mumbai and Indian cricket. Standing at the podium with the MCA logo, Rohit narrated his state of disbelief and gratitude: "For all of us, what is going to happen today I have never dreamt of." As a child aspiring to play cricket for Mumbai and aspiring to play cricket for India, nobody thinks about these sorts of things." His tone was laced with real emotion, a personal milestone that fits into the revival of the IPL 2025 season on May 17 after being suspended for a week owing to India-Pakistan tensions.

Rohit, who has scored 402 runs in 11 Wankhede international games and guided Mumbai Indians to a record five IPL championships, referred to the dream-like privilege of having a stand named in his honor. "For all of us, what is going to happen today I never even dreamt of. As a young kid who grew up wishing to play the sport for Mumbai, wishing to play for India, you don't think of these kind of things.“ His voice had an undeniable wave of emotion when he said this, and it was an honesty that highlighted his personal milestones in the middle of the start of the IPL 2025 season, returning on May 17 after a week-long pause thanks to India-Pakistan tensions.

The ceremony, in which MCA president Ajinkya Naik and other dignitaries were present, also included the inauguration of stands for Sharad Pawar and Ajit Wadekar and the MCA Office Lounge in the memory of Amol Kale. Rohit's emotional recall of the moment was apparent as he spoke of his career, saying, "While doing that, obviously you try and achieve a lot of things, you achieve a lot of things, and a lot of milestones are created." His words were a tribute to his own achievement and the team spirit of Mumbai cricket, winning over fans as Wankhede continues to pay homage to its heroes.

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Rohit Sharma’s iconic speech about his stand in Wankhede Stadium. ❤️🥹
pic.twitter.com/QRSp8GHata

— ‏ً (@Ro45Goat) May 16, 2025

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A Testament to Legacy and Inspiration

As Wankhede Stadium gets ready to welcome Mumbai Indians' next IPL fixture against Delhi Capitals on May 21, the Rohit Sharma Stand is a testament to his memory that will endure. Rohit's heartfelt speech will be a precious memory, summarizing his career and the vast extent of his contribution to the game. The recognition at Wankhede, a stadium that is equated with cricketing excellence, motivates future generations, symbolizing the indomitable spirit of Mumbai cricket.

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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Mumbai Cricket Association inaugurated "Sharad Pawar Stand" at Wankhede Stadium today.

Any 'secular-liberal' interested in checking Pawar’s ODI/Test/T20 record—just like they do with Jay Shah? pic.twitter.com/ZH6zbBoqbh

— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) May 16, 2025

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.

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) honored India and former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma by unveiling the Rohit Sharma Stand at Wankhede Stadium on May 16, 2025, in a grand ceremony.  It was part of a larger initiative launched by the MCA to name some stands after cricketing legends, and on this day Rohit joined a very distinguished company alongside Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Vijay Merchant, and Dilip Vengsarkar, whom they chose to honor. This ceremony consisted of a stage with a banner that read "Mumbai Cricket Association The Grand Stand Naming" and was attended by MCA president Ajinkya Naik, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, who also unveiled the Sharad Pawar Stand on the same day. 

Rohit, visibly moved, cut the ribbon along with other officials, a moment of pride for Mumbai cricket. The pedestal, which is placed in the northern end of Wankhede, is an ode to his legacy, guiding Mumbai Indians to five IPL trophies and aggregating 402 runs in 11 international games at the stadium. The launching was concurrent with the revival of the IPL season, increasing the importance of the event. The fans were elated, terming it a "fitting tribute" to Rohit, who used to lead the singing of "Mumbai cha Raja" at Wankhede.

The event also brought into focus other tributes, such as the Ajit Wadekar Stand and the MCA Office Lounge named after former president Amol Kale, which were revealed on the same day. The stadium was abuzz with excitement as colorful smoke and confetti accompanied the unveiling of the Rohit Sharma Stand. The tribute is timely as Rohit gears up for Mumbai Indians' next game, where his team wants to qualify for a playoff.

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Ladies and gentlemen, ROHIT SHARMA STAND at Wankhede 🥺🥺🥺💙 pic.twitter.com/2kePtZYrWq

— Vinesh Prabhu (@vlp1994) May 16, 2025

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A Legacy Etched in Mumbai Cricket

As a Mumbai cricketer with ambitions not only as a batsman with 15,228 runs in ODIs but also now as one of India's most successful leaders, there are few cricketers that have delivered more for Mumbai cricket than Rohit Sharma. While he has led the Mumbai Indians to two T20 World Cups, he has also developed a huge following linked to Wankhede Stadium, making it an important and lasting tribute to his tremendous career. 

The Rohit Sharma Stand, along with the other stands named after cricketers, adds to the Wankhede tradition of repaying its heroes and inspiring the next generation. As the IPL season progresses, this tribute will serve as a reminder of Rohit’s impact, both as a player and a leader, at the heart of Mumbai’s cricketing spirit.

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is going to resurrect the T20 Mumbai League for its 3rd season from May 26 to June 8, 2025, at Wankhede Stadium. The domestic T20 tournament that was last played in 2019 was put on hold due to the Covid pandemic and other issues but has now returned to entertain cricket fans in the metropolitan area. 

The league will start a day after the IPL 2025 final and will boast eight teams, all representing various suburbs of Mumbai. We have six teams returning from the previous iterations of the event—ARCS Andheri, Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs, Eagle Thane Strikers, Namo Bandra Blasters, North Mumbai Panthers, and Triumph Knights Mumbai North East. We will also welcome two new teams to the league - SoBo Mumbai Falcons and Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals.

Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav Creates History against LSG in IPL 2025: Know about momentous feat

The MCA has identified eight icon players to raise the visibility of the league: Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, and Prithvi Shaw. Every franchise has its one icon player, which adds a lot of star power and experience to their team.

The two weeks will be formatted round-robin and knockout and finish with the final on June 8. The MCA will announce the full schedule as well as live streaming details at a later date. The MCA is gearing up to make this a good event. 

T20 Mumbai League 2025: Overview 

• Board: Mumbai Cricket Association
• Season: 8
• Format: T20, Round-Robin and Knockouts
• Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• Dates: May 26 – June 8, 2025
• Matches: TBA

Teams and Captains

Teams ARCS Andheri, Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs, Eagle Thane Strikers, Namo Bandra Blasters, North Mumbai Panthers, Triumph Knights Mumbai North East, SoBo Mumbai Falcons, and Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals —are yet to be announced.

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Tuesday officially declared that the legendary Wankhede Stadium will be hosting Season 3 of the much-awaited T20 Mumbai League 2025. The league, one of India's premier domestic T20 franchise leagues, makes its comeback with Season 3 all set to commence from May 26 to June 8, according to the MCA press release.

The T20 Mumbai League offers a competitive stage for young talent, looking to unearth the next cricketing superstars. The league has seen the emergence of players such as Shivam Dube, Tushar Deshpande, Shams Mulani and more -- establishing new standards in India's domestic T20 arena.

In a gesture of goodwill, the MCA will invite poor children and students from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) schools to watch the matches, bringing them face-to-face with the exciting action throughout the 14-day tournament of eight teams.

T20 Mumbai league season 3 to make grand comeback with Rohit Sharma as Brand Ambassador, more than 2,800 players registered

"The T20 Mumbai League has been a game-changer not only for cricket in the city, but also for Indian cricket. The previous two editions witnessed many players impress with great performances and leave their mark on the national level. Seeing star players live is very inspiring for the next generation, and we wish to utilize this platform to take underprivileged kids and BMC school students to the stadium, urging them to get inspired and dream big," said MCA President Ajinkya Naik as per a press release.

"Wankhede Stadium is the jewel of Mumbai and among the most hallowed cricket venues on the globe. It has hosted numerous historic moments in Indian as well as international cricket. The charged aura at the stadium makes it the perfect platform to stage Season 3. Reception of the sport in the first two editions from fans was extraordinary, and we eagerly await increased participation of supporters at the arena this season while ensuring to give our audience fast-paced action," said MCA Secretary Abhay Hadap.

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Earlier this year, the MCA also launched India's captain and Mumbai's own Rohit Sharma as Season 3's official face, introducing stardom to the return of the tournament. Season 3 has already recorded more than 2,800 player registrations, which indicates the excitement and eagerness from Mumbai's cricketing fraternity. The tournament will continue to have eight franchises: North Mumbai Panthers, ARCS Andheri, Triumph Knights Mumbai North East, Namo Bandra Blasters, Eagle Thane Strikers, and Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs, as well as two new teams, Mumbai Falcons and Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals.

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has adopted an important measure to enhance its T20 Mumbai League through mandatory participation of leading Indian cricketers who combine international success with local talent. Indian cricketers Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, and Shivam Dube, along with other Mumbai-based players, need to play in the league except when selected for the England tour or injured. The MCA extended this requirement to all local Mumbai-based Indian cricketers, including Ajinkya Rahane, together with Prithvi Shaw and Shardul Thakur, to enhance tournament competition.

Each Indian player who joins the league can receive a participation fee of Rs 15 lakh apart from their auction proceeds. The association demonstrates its dedication to bringing in prestigious cricket names by offering a substantial payment to reward domestic cricket players. According to reports, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, and Shivam Dube expressed interest before the tournament started due to the rising popularity of the T20 Mumbai League among seasoned players.

The LICE has gained more prominence through its selection of Rohit Sharma as the 'Face of the League,' since he represents India in both ODI and Test formats. The league's ambassadorship under Rohit Sharma assures immense benefit to league exposure while drawing more spectators towards this tournament. The six IPL titles Rohit won prove why he serves as a powerful ambassador for this fast-growing tournament since he brings unrivaled star power and credibility.

🚨 BREAKING🚨

MCA makes it mandatory for #SuryakumarYadav, #ShreyasIyer, Shivam Dube to play in T20 Mumbai League. Rohit Sharma meanwhile, will be the ‘Face of the League’, reports @pdevendra https://t.co/Z6HKVO0FS3

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) April 17, 2025

Also Read: IPL 2025: 'Aisi situation mei main hi kyon aage aa jata hun'—Axar Patel’s funny spin on thrilling super over victory against RR

A Platform for Emerging Talent

Amid its third season, the T20 Mumbai League received masses of support through the registrations of more than 2,800 local cricketers ahead of the following edition. Running from May 26 to June 5 consecutively after the IPL, the tournament brings eight teams, including two new franchises that will participate in this edition. A player auction in May will still be an important milestone as teams look to develop their teams with a combination of seasoned and emerging athletes. 

MCA secretary Abhay Hadap is thrilled and expressed this: "The response to Season 3 has been tremendous, which shows the vibrancy of the unquenchable cricket love of Mumbaikars. We are committed to developing the players of tomorrow." With star players, a legendary ambassador, and a focus on developing the local talent, the T20 Mumbai League is positioning itself to become a staple of Mumbai's cricketing heritage while giving fans a thrill they won't forget.