Wankhede Stadium Names Stand for Shastri, Gates for Legends

Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium honored several cricketing legends on April 9, 2026, with the unveiling of a dedicated stand for former India allrounder and coach Ravi Shastri, alongside gates named after Dilip Sardesai, Eknath Solkar, and Diana Edulji. The ceremony, organized by the Mumbai Cricket Association and presided over by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, celebrated the enduring contributions of these figures to Indian cricket at the iconic venue.

The Level 1 stand below the press box now bears Shastri's name, while Gate No. 3 was dedicated to Sardesai, Gate No. 6 to Solkar, and Gate No. 5 to Edulji. Attendees included former cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar, MCA President Ajinkya Naik, Cabinet Minister Ashish Shelar, and current India T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, who was felicitated for leading the team to victory in the T20 World Cup. Families of Sardesai and Solkar, both deceased, were present to receive the tributes on their behalf.

Fadnavis praised the initiative during the event, stating, "It is a great way to celebrate our icons. This initiative, naming gates and stands after those who created history so that their memories and their...