The iconic Wankhede Stadium has long been the crown jewel of Mumbai cricket, but lately, it seems the stadium infrastructure is falling short of real estate to match the city’s massive crowds. Following the recent decision of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to honor the former head coach of India Ravi Shastri With a dedicated stance, the former batsman turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar He couldn’t resist delivering his trademark verbal bouncer.
As the city gets ready for high-octane ipl 2026 clash between Mumbai Indians And Royal Challengers BangaloreMCA organized a star-studded ceremony to immortalise several legends. While the mood was celebratory, Manjrekar’s witty intervention on social media added a layer of spice to the proceedings, raising questions about whether the association was ‘over-allocating’ its honours.
Manjrekar, known for his outspoken and often polarizing remarks, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express a humorous concern about MCA’s rapid pace of naming stadium sites. The press box stand is officially named as the ‘Ravi Shastri Stand’, and several gates have been handed over to legends like Dilip Sardesai, Diana EduljiAnd Eknath SolkarManjrekar suggested exercising some restraint.
“Mumbai Cricket Association is requested to keep some gates and stands in the name of players for future management also.Manjrekar posted.
This comment, though humorous, touches logical reality. There are already stands in the name of Wankhede Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkarwith Rohit Sharma stand. By suggesting that MCA should save some of the inventory for future generations, Manjrekar highlighted the unique problem facing Mumbai: an embarrassment of riches when it comes to cricket legends. The post quickly went viral, leading to fans debating whether the honor should be more specific or whether each era-defining player deserves a permanent place in the stadium’s geography.
requesting @MumbaiCricAssoc Some gates and stands should also be kept in the name of players for future management. ☺️
– Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) 9 April 2026
Ravi Shastri’s emotional reaction to a stand named after him
Despite the mild controversy, the ceremony remained a highly emotional affair for Shastri. The former India captain and 1983 World Cup winner recalled his humble beginnings at the venue. For Shastri, Wankhede is not just a workplace; It was here that his cricket identity was formed.
Reflecting on his journey, Shastri recalled traveling by bus and train to sit in the famous North Stand in 1974 at the age of 12. He described that section of the crowd as the most knowledgeable in the country, a place where schoolboys and experienced coaches analyzed the game with equal enthusiasm.
Current Bharat stars were also seen at the ceremony held on April 9, 2026 Suryakumar Yadav Being honored by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis. However, for the Shastri family, the naming of the stand was the pinnacle. Shastri said that his mother, self-proclaimed “cricket encyclopedia“Was the proudest person in the room. As Mumbai Indians prepare to take on RCB hardik pandyaUnder the leadership of , the players will now compete in the shadow of a stand named after one of the most resonant voices and influential figures in Indian cricket history.
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