Former India head coach Rahul Dravid praised Rohit Sharma after the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) named a stand at Wankhede Stadium in his honor. Dravid said this special recognition is a result of Rohit’s big impact on cricket.
Rahul Dravid Praises Rohit Sharma’s Impact on Cricket
He said in a video shared by Mumbai Indians on X:
“Hey Rohit, guess you hit so many sixes into those stands that they had to name one after you. But no, just congratulations! I’m sure there’s a young boy going into the iconic Wankhede Stadium, truly one of the great stadiums in the world. I’m sure you would have loved to play there. I’m sure you would have wanted to have some great performances there, which you have done. I’m not sure you dreamt about having a stand named after you. But that it has come to that and that you have one named after you, I think it is just a reward to your contribution to both Mumbai and Indian cricket.”
Veteran batter Rahul Dravid praised Rohit Sharma, saying he “truly deserves” the honour of having a stand named after him at the Wankhede Stadium. He also wished Rohit continued success in the future. Jokingly, Dravid added that he now knows who to reach out to for match tickets in Mumbai.
“It’s truly well deserved. Congratulations! I hope it was a great day with family and friends. Looking forward to seeing a lot more sixes into the Rohit Sharma stand in all the games that you play and when I’m short of tickets in Mumbai, now that you’ve a stand, I know who to contact,” Dravid said.
Rohit Sharma Reflects on His Journey at Wankhede
Wankhede Stadium has been a special place for Rohit ever since he began his domestic cricket journey in 2007. Speaking at the event, he thanked everyone involved and shared how much the recognition means to him.
“Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has come here to make this event so special. What is going to happen today, I never dreamt of it. As a kid growing up, wanting to play for Mumbai, for India, no one thinks about things like these. For me, it’s like any other sportsman who wants to give their best. Serve the nation, the country, as much as possible. While doing that, you try and achieve a lot of things. A lot of milestones are created, but something like this is really special. Wankhede is such an iconic stadium, there are so many memories here.
For me to have my name amongst the greats of the game and the world’s top political leaders, I cannot express what the feelings are. For that, I am really, really grateful, honoured, and very thankful to all MCA members, and not to forget the Apex Council Member. For me to be honoured while I am playing makes it special. I have retired from two formats, but I am still playing one format. It’ll be a surreal feeling when I come here and play on the 21st against the Delhi Capitals, representing the Mumbai Indians. It’ll be a very special feeling,” Rohit said at the ceremony.
Alongside the Rohit Sharma Stand, the MCA also named two other stands – one after Sharad Pawar, former head of the MCA, BCCI, and ICC, and another after former India captain Ajit Wadekar. The association also inaugurated the MCA Office Lounge in memory of the late Amol Kale, its former president.
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