NEW DELHI: Wankhede Stadium‘s 50th-anniversary celebrations on Sunday were marked by joy, nostalgia, and a touch of humour as India’s skipper Rohit Sharma and cricket legends reminisced about the venue’s storied history.
The event, organised by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), saw cricketing greats and fans uniting in a lively atmosphere.
A highlight of the evening was Rohit Sharma’s playful antics. A video shared by the Mumbai Indians showed him gesturing enthusiastically towards the spectators, inviting someone from between them to join him on stage with animated dance moves.
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Shreyas Iyer, amused by Rohit’s spontaneity, burst into laughter. Standing beside Rohit was Ravi Shastri, the former Team India head coach, who couldn’t hide his delight either.
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Amid the celebrations, Rohit addressed the audience, offering hope to fans disappointed by India’s recent series losses.
Speaking about the 2025 Champions Trophy, Rohit expressed his ambition to bring the title to Wankhede, recalling iconic victories like the 2011 ODI World Cup and the T20 triumphs of 2007 and 2024.
“I’m sure that the wishes of 140 crore Indians will be behind us when we land in Dubai for the Champions Trophy. We will try to do well and bring the Champions Trophy 2025 to the Wankhede Stadium,” Rohit affirmed, ahead of the Dubai-hosted tournament starting February 19.
Former coach Ravi Shastri added his trademark flair, reliving his historic six-sixes-in-an-over feat from a Ranji Trophy match at Wankhede in 1985.
The MCA also honoured legendary players, including Sunil Gavaskar, Ajinkya Rahane, and Sachin Tendulkar, alongside survivors of Wankhede’s inaugural first-class game.
Additionally, tributes were paid to coach Vilas Godbole, the last surviving member of the 1972–73 committee that oversaw the stadium’s construction.