MCA honours Shastri, Sardesai, Solkar, Edulji with stand and gate namings at Wankhede

The iconic Wankhede Stadium is set to further cement its place in India’s cricketing history with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) announcing plans to name a major stand and several entrance gates after legendary cricketers. The decision, approved at an Apex Council meeting on Friday, recognises the contributions of these figures not only to Mumbai cricket but to the national game as a whole.

The MCA said that Level 1 Stand below the Press Box will be named after former India all‑rounder, captain, coach and broadcaster Ravi Shastri , acknowledging his remarkable career for both Mumbai and India. Shastri played domestic cricket for Mumbai before going on to appear in 80 Tests and 150 One‑Day Internationals for India, later serving as India’s head coach from 2017 to 2021 during one of the team’s most successful overseas periods, including back‑to‑back Test series wins in Australia.

In addition to the stand naming, three stadium gate entries will be dedicated to other celebrated Mumbai cricketers. Gate No. 3 will now be known as the Dilip Sardesai Gate after the elegant middle‑order batsman whose 642 runs in India’s historic 1971 West Indies tour helped secure the country’s first series victory in the Caribbean. Gate No. 5 will be named after Diana Edulji , a pioneer of Indian women’s cricket and former India captain who appeared in 20 Tests and 34 ODIs and later influenced cricket administration. Gate No. 6 will honour Eknath Solkar , widely regarded as one of the finest close fielders in the game and a key all‑round contributor in India’s side in the 1970s.

MCA president Ajinkya Naik said the initiative was aimed at “ensuring that every fan who walks into the stadium is reminded of the legends who shaped our glorious cricketing heritage.” He added that the move reflects the association’s commitment to celebrating its rich legacy while inspiring future generations of players and supporters.

The stand and gate naming will join a roster of other honoured figures at Wankhede, which already includes enclosures and areas named after icons such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Rohit Sharma and others.

Beyond the honours, Edulji expressed heartfelt gratitude , noting that naming the gate after her also recognises her contributions beyond the playing field, particularly to sports initiatives linked with Indian Railways.