Image: MCA's 86th AGM honored Rohit Sharma, Sharad Pawar, and Ajit Wadekar with stadium stands / © Mint
With the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) commemorating its legacy, Wankhede Stadium will now feature stands named after Sharad Pawar, Ajit Wadekar, and Rohit Sharma—figures celebrated as pillars of Mumbai cricket. This decision was taken at MCA’s 86th Annual General Meeting. The Sharad Pawar and Ajit Wadekar stands will be positioned behind the bowler’s arm, one above the other, while Level 3 of the Vithal Divecha Pavilion will be renamed the Rohit Sharma Stand. An office lounge will also be established in memory of the late MCA president, Amol Kale.
Sharad Pawar, a two-time MCA president, also served as BCCI and ICC chief. Under his leadership, India co-hosted and won the 2011 World Cup and launched the IPL in 2008. Ajit Wadekar led India to historic Test series wins in England and the West Indies in 1971 and later served as team manager during a dominant home era in the 1990s. Rohit Sharma, the only player to hit three ODI double centuries, captained India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title and five IPL championships with the Mumbai Indians.
Additionally, MCA announced a Rs 75 crore investment into grassroots infrastructure, potentially rising to Rs 100 crore, to boost tournaments like the Kanga League and support affiliated school and club cricket.