‘We didn’t like losing’: Ravi Shastri recalls Mumbai’s ‘khadoos’ culture as Wankhede stand named after him
Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri was honoured with a stand at Wankhede Stadium in a grand MCA ceremony attended by legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar. He recalled Mumbai’s “khadoos” spirit and past glory. Meanwhile, Devendra Fadnavis said Wankhede will remain iconic despite plans for a bigger Navi Mumbai stadium.
MUMBAI: Recognition may have come a little late for Ravi Shastri, but when it did, it was in grand fashion. In a glittering ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) unveiled a stand named after the former India allrounder, head coach and noted commentator. Fittingly located below the press box, the stand was inaugurated in the presence of several cricketing greats, including 2026 ICC T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav and former India captains Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Diana Edulji, and Shastri himself.
The event also saw gates at the stadium named after former India captain Diana Edulji and late greats Dilip Sardesai and Eknath Solkar. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, state minister Ashish Shelar and MCA president Ajinkya Naik were also present. Speaking at the event, Shastri reflected on the fierce, never-give-up attitude that defined Mumbai cricket during his playing days.
“With the MCA, you see in all these years, it's rich in history, and the two names I've taken here, Sunny and Dilip who played with me, you won't get two bigger cricketers than them," he said. "Because we didn't like losing. They were 'khadoos,' (tenacious) and so was I.
So, any team that played against us, whatever level of cricket, if you thought you had won a game, you'll have to go to two or three temples or even five. And still you won't win it till it's over. And that was Mumbai cricket.