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The iconic Wankhede Stadium has long been the crown jewel of Mumbai cricket, but lately, it seems the stadium’s infrastructure is running out of real estate to match the city’s overflowing cabinet of legends. Following the Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) recent decision to honour former India head coach Ravi Shastri with a dedicated stand, former batter turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar couldn’t resist delivering one of his trademark verbal bouncers.
As the city geared up for the high-octane IPL 2026 clash between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the MCA organized a star-studded ceremony to immortalize several stalwarts. While the atmosphere was celebratory, Manjrekar’s witty intervention on social media added a layer of spice to the proceedings, questioning whether the association is ‘over-allocating’ its honours.
Manjrekar, known for his candid and often polarizing takes, took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice a humorous concern regarding the MCA’s rapid pace of naming stadium landmarks. With the press box stand being officially designated as the ‘Ravi Shastri Stand,’ and several gates being assigned to legends like Dilip Sardesai, Diana Edulji, and Eknath Solkar, Manjrekar suggested a bit of restraint.
“Requesting the Mumbai Cricket Association to keep some gates & stands for future managements also, to name after players,” Manjrekar posted.
The remark, while humorous, touches on a logistical reality. Wankhede already boasts stands named after Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, and Dilip Vengsarkar, along with the Rohit Sharma Stand. By suggesting that the MCA should save some inventory for future generations, Manjrekar highlighted the unique problem Mumbai faces: an embarrassment of riches when it comes to cricketing icons. The post quickly went viral, with fans debating whether honours should be more exclusive or if every era-defining player deserves a permanent spot in the stadium’s geography.
Requesting @MumbaiCricAssoc to keep some gates & stands for future managements also, to name after players. ☺️
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 9, 2026
Ravi Shastri’s emotional take on a stand being named after him
Despite the light-hearted controversy, the ceremony remained a deeply emotional affair for Shastri. The former India captain and 1983 World Cup winner reminisced about his humble beginnings at the venue. For Shastri, the Wankhede isn’t just a workplace; it’s where his cricketing identity was forged.
Reflecting on his journey, Shastri recalled traveling by bus and train as a 12-year-old in 1974 to sit in the famous North Stand. He described that section of the crowd as the most knowledgeable in the country, a place where schoolboys and veteran coaches analyzed the game with equal fervour.
The ceremony, held on April 9, 2026, also saw current India star Suryakumar Yadav being felicitated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. However, for the Shastri family, the naming of the stand was the pinnacle. Shastri noted that his mother, a self-proclaimed “cricket encyclopedia,” was the proudest person in the room. As Mumbai Indians prepare to take on RCB under Hardik Pandya’s leadership, the players will now compete under the shadow of a stand named after one of the most resonant voices and influential figures in Indian cricket history.
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