A packed Wankhede Stadium chanted his name as Rohit Sharma took to the stage on Sunday along with several legends of Indian cricket to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic stadium.
In the presence of Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Ravi Shastri, Dilip Vengsarkar, Diana Edulji and Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit expressed his desire to bring the Champions Trophy back to the iconic venue that witnessed India’s iconic victory. What I remember most is winning the 2011 World Cup.
“We will do our best. I am confident that the aspirations of 140 million Indians will be behind us when we reach Dubai for the Champions Trophy. We will try to do well and bring the Champions Trophy to Wankhede Stadium,” Rohit said.
Wankhede Stadium is a special place for the India captain and he fondly remembered the evening last July when the entire city came to a standstill as the T20 World Cup winners were felicitated by the BCCI.
By then, the Indian team was stuck in a hotel in Barbados due to the cyclone and there were initial plans to host India’s victory parade in New Delhi. However, Rohit wanted the competition to be held in his ‘hometown’, Mumbai.
Also read | MCA offers cash reward of Rs 10 lakh to members of Mumbai’s first FC match held at Wankhede.
“I remember we were still in Barbados after winning the (T20) World Cup and we were stuck there because of the storm, but plans were underway for what we would do when we got back to India. I was scheduled to go to (New) Delhi, but what happened after that,” Rohit said.
“Nobody knew what to do after that, but I wanted the World Cup (trophy) to come here in Wankhede. The World Cups we won in 2007 and 2011 were all celebrated in Wankhede and it was also very important for us to bring home the World Cup (trophy) in 2024…
Members of the first World T20 winning team in 2007 were felicitated in a similar way and Rohit knew it would be a special feeling to take the trophy to Wankhede.
“Wankhede is one of those places where every cricketer dreams of playing here and seeing that dream come true. It’s great to dream and see it come true, I’ve been watching and playing cricket since I was little because the atmosphere in this stadium is very different. All cricketers love to come here and play cricket. This is how it feels in Wankhede.” Rohit added with a smile. “When we celebrated here the stands were full. Even today it is full and that is what is special about Wankhede…
While it was an emotional moment for Rohit, Tendulkar termed India’s 2011 World Cup win as the ‘biggest moment’ of his career.
“It was without a doubt the best moment of my life. India’s victory in 1983 made me want to hold the trophy in my hands. They came close to winning the 1996 World Cup in India and the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. However, they crossed the final hurdle at their home stadium, Wankhede Stadium. Until that point, no host country had won the World Cup,” Tendulkar said.
Ajinkya Rahane, Diana Edulji, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and Rohit Sharma pose with the Champions Trophy during the 50th anniversary celebrations of Wankhede Stadium. | PHOTO CREDIT: EMMANUAL YOGINI/THE HINDU
Ajinkya Rahane, Diana Edulji, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and Rohit Sharma pose with the Champions Trophy during the 50th anniversary celebrations of Wankhede Stadium. | PHOTO CREDIT: EMMANUAL YOGINI/THE HINDU
Tendulkar, who played all his cricket at the ‘special venue’, recalled how he convinced the then BCCI president N. Srinivasan to allocate the last Test against West Indies in 2013 at the Wankhede Stadium.
“When the schedule for the series against West Indies was announced, I called Mr. Srinivasan and asked if the second and final match of the series could be played at Wankhede. Because I wanted my mother to watch my last game. In 30 years she had never seen me play live and her health at that time was too poor to allow her to travel to any other place except Wankhede. BCCI very graciously accepted the request and my mother and entire family were able to be in Wankhede that day,” Tendulkar said. “I felt the same way today when I set foot in Wankhede… ”
clock | Video: Gavaskar, Kambli among stalwarts honored by MCA at Wankhede 50th anniversary celebrations
While Shastri recalled the moment he hit a six off Tilak Raj in a Ranji Trophy match against Baroda in 1985, Gavaskar recalled his first visit to Wankhede, built in 1974.
“When Wankhede Stadium was built in 1974, our dressing rooms were downstairs. When I first set foot on the ground for practice, it was love at first sight. Before that, we were playing at Brabourne Stadium for a club (Indian Cricket Club). But when I came here, it felt like the home of Mumbai cricket. The feeling of being at home ground is always different. I still feel that way every time I come to narrate. My heart swells with pride,” Gavaskar said.
To commemorate the special moment, the Mumbai Cricket Association felicitated all the Mumbai cricketers who led India along with former MCA presidents Sharad Pawar and Ashish Shelar. Ramola Wankhede Mahajani, daughter of the late SK Wankhede, and veteran coach Vilas Godbole also received cheers. A coffee table book detailing the stadium’s history and special postal stamps were also released.
