India and Former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma gave a very emotional speech on the day of the unveiling of the Rohit Sharma Stand at Wankhede Stadium on May 16, 2025, when he spoke of the immense gratitude he felt for his family and wife, Ritika Sajdeh. The function, one of a series of tributes to greats at Wankhede, also featured the dedication of stands for Sharad Pawar and Ajit Wadekar and the MCA Office Lounge in honor of Amol Kale. Rohit's speech was especially emotional as he welcomed the presence of his parents, brother, and wife, who were present, giving it a human touch to the professional achievement. His use of the term "Ritika Bhabhi" for Ritika brought a warm smile to his face, capturing the mood of the moment during the resumption of the IPL 2025 season on May 17 after a week-long hiatus because of India-Pakistan tensions.

Standing at the podium with the logo of MCA in the background, Rohit addressed how there was a surreal moment of having a stand named after him at Wankhede stadium where he has scored 402 runs in 11 international games and won five IPL titles as the captain of Mumbai Indians. "It will be such a special feeling to have a stand, particularly because my family—my mom and dad, my brother and his wife, and my wife, who is here with me as well—are such special individuals in my life. I am so, so thankful," he stated, his tone filled with true emotion. The speech, recorded by ANI, spoke of not only his cricketing success but also the down-to-earth impact of his family, striking a chord with fans who have watched him grow from a promising batsman to a cricketing hero.

Rohit's reference to Ritika, his constant support after their marriage in 2015, emphasized the personal depth of the achievement. Regularly seen supporting him at games, Ritika's presence at the ceremony, along with other relatives, lent some substance to the proceedings. Rohit also thanked the MCA members, Sharad Pawar, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for the honor, but it was his family thanks that resonated most, showing the balance between his success professionally and values personally.

Rohit Sharma first took the name of his parents, brother and his wife and than he took the name of Ritika Bhabhi.🥹🫂
pic.twitter.com/4T6sALAyKd

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) May 16, 2025

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

A Tribute to Family and Legacy 

The powerful emotions of Rohit's speech, moments before he led the Mumbai Indians against the Delhi Capitals on May 21 at Wankhede, will almost certainly be fondly recalled by fans. The Rohit Sharma Stand, built from multiple generations of love and support by family as lovers of cricket, is a permanent tribute to Rohit's legacy at Wankhede. While the stadium continues to celebrate Mumbai's cricket legends, the emotion behind Rohit's words and the presence of his family represent those truly valuable personal stories behind professional records that future generations will learn from.

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.

Watch the video here

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 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.