MCA to unveil Rohit Sharma, Ajit Wadekar, and Sharad Pawar stands on May 16

On May 16, the Mumbai Cricket Association will open the stands bearing the names of former India captain Ajit Wadekar, former ICC, BCCI, and MCA chairman Sharad Pawar, and India’s ODI captain Rohit Sharma. The cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan forced the postponement of the event, which was originally planned for May 13.

The MCA Office Lounge will also be dedicated in honour of Amol Kale, the association’s former president, as part of the major celebration. At its 86th Annual General Meeting on April 15, the MCA made the decision to name the stands.

Rohit Sharma, who guided India to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies, will have his name attached to the Divecha Pavilion Level 3 stand.

After winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 38-year-old declared his retirement from the red-ball format on May 7. He also announced his retirement from the T20Is. In the forthcoming ODI matches, the batter will be wearing the Indian shirt.

The Ajit Wadekar Stand will be located on Level 4 of the Grand Stand. In 1971, the left-handed batsman guided India to their first Test series wins in England and the West Indies. The history of Indian cricket underwent a dramatic shift with this victory. Between 1966 and 1974, the top-order batsman participated in two One-Day Internationals and 37 Test matches. The famous cricketer, who played 237 first-class matches, died in August 2018 at the age of 77.

The Pawar Stand will be the new name for the Grand Stand Level 3. He is well-respected for his successful terms as MCA president from 2001 to 2013 and again from 2013 to 2016, and was considered the organization’s “mentor.” The 2011 World Cup final was held at the MCA’s Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai during that time.