MCA to name a stand after Ravi Shastri at Wankhede Stadium

Three gates at the stadium to be named after Dilip Sardesai, Eknath Solkar and Diana Edulji

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has decided to name the Level 1 stand below the press box at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai after Ravi Shastri. It was one of the decisions taken in the Apex Council meeting on Friday.

"Mumbai cricket is built on the foundation laid by our stalwarts," MCA president Ajinkya Naik said in a statement. "It is our responsibility to honour those who have brought pride to the city and the nation. The proposal to name Level 1 Stand below the press box after Ravi Shastri is a tribute to his immense contribution as a player, leader and coach."

Shastri played domestic cricket for Mumbai before going on to play 80 Tests and 150 ODIs for India. He also was India's coach from 2017 to 2021, and in his tenure, India finished runners-up to Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2017, reached the semi-final in the ODI World Cup 2019, and faced a league-stage exit in the T20 World Cup 2021. It was also under Shastri that India won their first Test series in Australia in 2018-19, and followed up with another win in 2020-21.

Apart from honouring Shastri, the MCA also decided to name three gates at the Wankhede Stadium after Dilip Sardesai, Eknath Solkar and Diana Edulji. Sardesai scored 642 runs on India's tour of the West Indies in 1971; that was the first time India defeated West Indies in a Test series. Solkar was regarded as one the game's top catchers, his skill at short leg, arguably, unmatched. Edulji is a pioneer in the women's game, and captained India in 22 international games.

"Dedicating gates at Wankhede Stadium to Dilip Sardesai, Eknath Solkar and Diana Edulji ensures that every fan who walks into the stadium is reminded of the legends who shaped our glorious cricketing heritage," Naik said.