The Mumbai Cricket Association is all set to unveil the Ravi Shastri Stand on 9th April, dedicating a special area of the stadium to one of the Indian cricketing greats. The unveiling ceremony will take place on April 9 and Ravi Shastri expressed his gratitude on The Indian Express, speaking about his love for the Wankhede Stadium and the memories he shared with the Mumbai crowd and his family all along the way from the start of his cricketing journey in 1974.

“To say a stand named after me inside Wankhede is a dream would be an understatement. When my mother heard that the stand would be named after me, no one was more proud,” said Ravi Shastri. The Wankhede Stadium is one of the most iconic venues in Indian cricket and many cricketers aspire to play at least a game in the stadium. Ravi Shastri takes privilege that a stand is being named after him and his mother, who has been a pillar of support in his journey, was the proudest of all his well-wishers.

A journey of grit, criticism, and redemption—Shastri reflects on family support and legacy at Wankhede

It was indeed a dream come true for the Indian commentator and he could not refrain himself from penning down the words of joy that overflowed in him as the Ravi Shastri Stand was announced. “The first time I came to the Wankhede Stadium, I was just 12. I took a bus and a train, found my way to the North Stand, and sat there watching cricket. That was 1974. I was a little boy, and I couldn’t stay the whole day. But that’s where it started — Wankhede’s famous North Stand, where the college and school students, along with coaches, sat together. The most knowledgeable crowd in the country. That’s where cricket was understood,” said Ravi Shastri.

The ex-India star recollected his memories from back in the day, when he first watched a match in the Wankhede Stadium. The journey from being seated at the stands in the Wankhede to having a stand named after himself, Ravi Shastri has indeed come a long way in his career. He led the Mumbai side to a Ranji Trophy title and he always dreamed of scoring a test ton at the Wankhede. His dream came true in 1984, when he scored a century against England in a test match. Ravi Shastri made a world record at the Wankhede by hitting 6 sixes in an over against Baroda in the Ranji Trophy, which is a feat that can rarely be achieved.

“When my mother heard that the stand would be named after me, no one was more proud. She is a cricket encyclopedia. She watches everything. My whole family will be there, along with close friends and the cricketers I played with — from school to university to college to the Ranji Trophy. I know the sweat and blood that went into it. They know it too. My family came to every match for years. They saw all of it,” said Ravi Shastri.

Ravi Shastri’s family used to constantly attend all of Shastri’s games until the crowd began to boo him off. Then his father stopped coming to his games and then later on, all his criticisms turned to praises when he became a commentator. Ravi Shastri claims that all the criticisms and the rough patches are all just a part of the game and that you have to be prepared for it. He also credits the media for his journey in the commentary box. He also finds it interesting that his stand is very close to the press box and he says that he would be nothing without the media. “You earn your stripes on merits. No chamchagiri, no shortcuts,” added Ravi Shastri.

In the match between the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on 12th April, Ravi Shastri could be doing the toss as a commentator and he explains that no words can express his feeling, when he sees the Ravi Shastri Stand at the Wankhede Stadium. He also claims that the BCCI, the Bombay Cricket Association and the Mumbai Cricket Association have always been his guardians.