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**Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium Honors Rohit Sharma with Dedicated Stand**
**Mumbai, India – May 17, 2024** – Indian cricket icon Rohit Sharma was honored on Friday at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium with the unveiling of a stand named after him. The “Rohit Sharma Stand” was officially inaugurated in a ceremony attended by Sharma’s parents, Gurunath and Purnima Sharma, his brother Vishal, and his wife, Ritika Sajdeh.
The emotional ceremony saw Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis alongside Sharma’s parents pressing the buzzer to unveil the stand. Gurunath and Purnima Sharma were visibly moved, with reports indicating they shed tears of joy. Ritika Sajdeh was also seen trying to conceal her own tears of emotion.
Sharma himself was overcome with emotion while addressing the gathering. “What’s happening today, I never even dreamed of it,” Sharma said, his voice thick with emotion. “As a child, my dream was to play for Mumbai and for India.”
He added, “To have my name among the greats of cricket is something I cannot put into words. This is especially special because I am still playing. I have retired from two formats, but I am still playing one format.” Sharma was referring to his recent retirement from Test cricket and T20 Internationals to focus on One Day Internationals.
Looking ahead, Sharma expressed his excitement about playing at the Wankhede Stadium again, specifically in the upcoming match against the Delhi Capitals on May 21st. “Playing in this historic stadium on the 21st against Delhi Capitals will be a special feeling because there is now a stand in my name here,” he stated.
The dedication of the “Rohit Sharma Stand” is a testament to Sharma’s significant contributions to Indian cricket and his enduring popularity in his hometown of Mumbai.
**Credit:** ANI/MCA/Getty images/BCCI
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