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Rohit Sharma recalls the time from his childhood days when he used to struggle to enter the Wankhede Stadium.
Rohit Sharma is one of the finest cricketers to have represented India. (PTI Photo)
Rohit Sharma will soon have a stand named after him at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. The India Test and ODI captain calls it a “huge honour” while recalling the days when he wasn’t allowed to enter the venue as a kid.
The Mumbai Cricket Association recently announced that it has approved a proposal to name one of the stands at the Wankhede Stadium after Rohit during its Annual General Meeting. Along with Rohit, India batting great Ajit Wadekar and former BCCI president Sharad Pawar will also have stands named after them at the stadium.
“It’s a huge honour, I mentioned about it as a young kid, we weren’t allowed to come to the stadium at some stage. But, having played all my cricket here, and now to have that stand, it’s a big honour. Whenever that name comes up, I don’t know how to react,” Rohit said on Sunday.
Rohit is counted among the greatest batters to have played the game and has also sealed his legacy as a top captain too after guiding India to two ICC titles in the space of 10 months. He has plenty of records to his name including for the highest individual score in ODI history – 264.
During an event, Rohit recalled when he used to struggle to enter Wankhede Stadium just to get a glimpse of players practicing for Ranji Trophy.
“No one dreams of things like this when they are just starting off, playing cricket. I still remember those days when I used to stand outside Wankhede Stadium just to enter and watch (the) Mumbai Ranji Trophy team practice; I am talking about 2004 or maybe 2003,” Rohit said.
“We used to finish our U-14, U-16 training at Azad Maidan. I, with a few of my friends, used to travel across the railway track to go and just get a glimpse of some of the Ranji Trophy cricketers. I know how tough it was to get inside the Wankhede Stadium back then. Even now, obviously, no random (person) will be allowed inside the stadium. But those were the days. I am just trying to remember now,” he added.
