NEW DELHI: Indian cricket’s modern-day great, Rohit Sharma, displayed not only his cricketing legacy but also his deeply emotional and protective nature as a son during a historic event at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officially inaugurated the Rohit Sharma Stand, honouring the legendary batter at his home ground in front of a big gathering of dignitaries, teammates, and family.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!But beyond the applause and accolades, what truly touched the hearts of fans were the visuals that emerged of Rohit’s tender gestures towards his parents — especially his mother.Who’s that IPL player?In a heartwarming moment, Rohit stepped down from the stage to escort his parents onto it, gently guiding his mother by the hand to share the special moment. Later, as the event concluded and media and fans swarmed for pictures and attention, Rohit was seen shielding his mother, ensuring she wasn’t jostled, and leading her and his father carefully through the crowd. The video clips quickly went viral, with fans across social media hailing his humility and deep-rooted family values.The Divecha Pavilion Level 3, now renamed the Rohit Sharma Stand, celebrates the journey of a boy from Borivali who rose to become one of the game’s most prolific batters. Visibly emotional, Rohit paid tribute to those who stood by him throughout.“It’ll be a surreal feeling on the 21st (May) when I come here and play against Delhi Capitals representing Mumbai Indians,” he said. “To have a stand in my name is incredibly special. But it’ll mean even more when I play here for India again someday.”What truly anchored his speech was his heartfelt thanks to his family.“So many people, especially my mom and dad, my brother, his wife, and my wife — very special people in my life — have sacrificed so much for me to be standing here today,” Rohit said, his voice filled with emotion.The entire Mumbai Indians squad attended the event to honour their long-time former skipper. Rohit, ever the leader, lightened the mood by joking, “I know my team is waiting for my speech to end so they can start training!”
Alongside Rohit, Ajit Wadekar and Sharad Pawar were also honoured with dedicated stands, and the MCA Lounge was named in memory of Amol Kale, reflecting a rich day of remembrance and legacy at Wankhede.
