Ravi Shastri, the former India captain, urged young Mumbai cricketers to embrace the grind and uphold the city’s rich cricketing legacy after the Ravi Shastri Stand was unveiled at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

“It’s an honour. It’s a privilege to get it on the ground,” Shastri said moments after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled the stand on the north side of the stadium in the presence of Shastri’s family, including his 86-year-old mother Lakshmi.

Reflecting on the illustrious names already associated with the venue, Shastri emphasised the standards expected of Mumbai cricketers. “When you look at the names there (for various stands), (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Dilip) Vengsarkar, (Sunil) Gavaskar, (Rohit) Sharma, and then of course the Gates. It’s an association that is rich in tradition. And above all, winners. They win more than anybody else,” Shastri said.

Encouraging aspiring players to follow Mumbai’s traditional route, Shastri added: “So to get upstairs there, you have got to work your backside off. It won’t come easy. So, whoever is young, whoever is aspiring, there is no shortcut. Take those trains, take those buses, do the rounds of the maidans, play First-Class cricket as much as you can, and play whatever cricket that is available. Because that’s the only way you will become a better cricketer. The prime example is Sachin Tendulkar.”

Besides the Ravi Shastri Stand – stadium gates in the name of Diana Eduji, late Dilip Sardesai and late Eknath Solkar were also unveiled. While Edulji was present, the families of Solkar and Sardesai were present to witness the tribute to stalwarts of Mumbai cricket.

Shastri’s family — including his mother, wife Ritu and daughter Alekha — were present, along with several friends from his school and college days. Sunil Gavaskar, his first Test captain, Dilip Vengsarkar, his long-time Mumbai and India teammate, and Suryakumar Yadav also shared the dais.

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“To all the cricketers I played with, thank you very much. Because without you all, this stand would have never come in my name. You were all part of it, right from school to club to wherever it goes,” Shastri said. “To my family that’s present here, without their support, I don’t think I would have made it.

There is my mother there, 86, even more obsessed with the game than anyone else. She has watched Test cricket from the 1960s, right from (Gary) Sobers at the CCI to Neil Harvey to the works, Clive Lloyd, Vivian Richards, and her favourite was Neil Harvey. And she was a pest. You had to score every game.”

MCA has zeroed in on stadium plot: CM Fadnavis

Meanwhile, Fadnavis revealed that the state government has extended full support to the Mumbai Cricket Association’s plan to build a 1-lakh capacity stadium in Navi Mumbai.

“Everyone feels that Mumbai should host the big final, that’s why Mumbai needs a bigger stadium. All of them are working towards it. We overviewed a plot of land in Navi Mumbai recently along with Ajinkya (Naik, MCA president). We have almost finalised a piece of land that’s very well connected. I am sure we will come up with the best stadium in the country,” he said.

Published on Apr 09, 2026