MCA to Name Wankhede Stand After Ravi Shastri; Three Stadium Gates to Honour Sardesai, Solkar and Edulji

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

Announcing the move, MCA president Ajinkya Naik said the gesture was aimed at recognising stalwarts who have contributed immensely to Mumbai and Indian cricket.

“Mumbai cricket is built on the foundation laid by our stalwarts. 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,” Naik said in a statement.

Shastri represented Mumbai in domestic cricket before going on to play 80 Tests and 150 ODIs for India. He later served as India’s head coach from 2017 to 2021. During his tenure, India finished runners-up to Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy, reached the semi-finals of the 2019 ODI World Cup, and exited at the league stage of the 2021 T20 World Cup. Under Shastri’s coaching, India also secured their first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018-19 and followed it up with another historic triumph in 2020-21.

In addition to honouring Shastri, the MCA has decided to name three gates at the Wankhede Stadium after former India cricketers Dilip Sardesai, Eknath Solkar and Diana Edulji.

Sardesai played a pivotal role in India’s landmark 1971 tour of the West Indies, scoring 642 runs in the series — India’s first-ever Test series victory against the West Indies. Solkar was widely regarded as one of the finest close-in fielders in the game, with his skill at short leg considered among the best of his era. Edulji, a pioneer of women’s cricket in India, captained the national team in 22 international matches and made significant contributions to the growth of the women’s game.

“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 added.

The decisions underline the MCA’s efforts to commemorate Mumbai’s rich cricketing legacy by permanently etching the names of its icons at one of India’s most historic venues.