logo
Waiting to walk out from the Rohit stand, says Akash Ambani in tribute

Waiting to walk out from the Rohit stand, says Akash Ambani in tribute

Akash Ambani congratulated Rohit Sharma, celebrating the journey of a Borivali boy who rose to have a stand named after him at the iconic Wankhede Stadium
New Delhi
The level of the Divecha Pavilion at Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium is set to be renamed after former India Test skipper Rohit Sharma. The decision was taken at the Mumbai Cricket Association's (MCA's) 86th general meeting held on 15 April. On the day of the big honour, five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians' owner Akash Ambani congratulated the former MI skipper through a video on the social media platform X page of Mumbai Indians.
Ambani congratulated Rohit on the significant achievement while also stating that he cannot wait to walk out for MI's last home game of the season from the stand named after Rohit Sharma.
Check full video here:
Ambani emphasised that such achievements have the power to inspire an entire generation. He expressed his excitement for the team's final home game of the season at Wankhede, where Rohit's name will now grace the stands — marking a fitting tribute to his extraordinary contributions to the game.
Recognition of a Mumbai icon
The decision to honour Rohit was made during the MCA's 86th Annual General Meeting held on 15 April. Officials cited his immense contributions to both Mumbai and Indian cricket, noting his achievements not only as a prolific batter but also as a respected leader.
Rohit himself once admitted that accolades like this were never part of his initial dreams. During a past T20 Mumbai League event, he had struggled to put his emotions into words, saying such recognition was something he never imagined when he first picked up a bat.
Rohit Sharma's Test career ends with 67 matches, 4,301 runs, 12 centuries, and 18 fifties at an average of 40.57. Perhaps most impressively, India won every Test in which Rohit scored a hundred — a testament to his match-winning impact.
From learning the game at Azad Maidan to captaining India and leaving an indelible mark on the Wankhede Stadium, Rohit's rise has been nothing short of inspirational.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hockey: Indian women's team face relegation from Pro League – here are scenarios and what's at stake for Harendra Singh's side
Hockey: Indian women's team face relegation from Pro League – here are scenarios and what's at stake for Harendra Singh's side

Indian Express

time27 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

Hockey: Indian women's team face relegation from Pro League – here are scenarios and what's at stake for Harendra Singh's side

Over this weekend in Berlin, the women's FIH Pro League season will come to a close with six teams in action in double-headers. There has been little doubt about which team will finish top of the table, because there really is no one close to the Netherlands in women's hockey at the moment. Having wrapped up the title, the Olympic champions will face Belgium in a no-stakes top three clash. It is at the bottom of the table where the real drama lies. And it involves an Indian team desperate to earn some points to stay in the league for the next season. The three teams that are locked in the battle to avoid relegation are Germany, England and China. While India will face Asian rivals – and arguably the most-improved women's international hockey side in the recent year or so – China, Germany and England go up against each other. With 9 teams competing in the Pro League (both men's and women's), there are two main storylines to follow. Closer to the top, there is a spot to be won at the World Cup next year (for teams that have not already qualified). And at the bottom, the last-placed team gets relegated from the Pro League for the following year. When the Pro League began, there were initially doubts around the importance of the tournament in the calendar and not many teams were sold on it – including India. But gradually, it has gained prominence and relevance. Many teams still see it as a platform to groom talent but results have a meaning because there are end-goals to work towards. After 14 matches played, India are at the bottom of the table with 10 points, having won twice in regulation time, and once earning the shootout bonus after a draw. Germany and England have 13 points and 11 points, respectively. A reminder of the points system: An outright win within regulation time of four quarters means a team will be awarded 3 points. A draw means both teams will earn 1 point before a shootout is played. Then 1 bonus point is awarded to the winner of the shootout. There are no points to the loser of a match in normal time. For tiebreakers, the first criterion is number of wins, followed by goal difference and then goals for. Former India coach Janneke Schopman is the current head coach of Germany and she'd have been mighty relieved after beating China in a tense match on Wednesday, getting one over a familiar rival in Alyson Annan. Germany have destiny in their own hands as they just have to avoid losing outright against England in both matches. England, just below Germany, would be hoping to pull off at least one outright win. David Ralph's side had a fairly productive home leg in London, where they registered two important wins to earn six massive points – one against Australia and another versus Spain, a mighty impressive 4-1 win in the last match at Lee Valley. It is that result that pushed them above India into a relatively comfortable position. India meanwhile, face two daunting matches against Alyson's China, who'd be smarting after the defeat against Germany. China are, of course, the Paris Olympics silver medallists too and will be red-hot favourites to win the Asia Cup later this year. India coach Harendra Singh, on the other hand, has seen his side suffer two close defeats against Australia, and managed to hold Argentina to a draw, and then lost twice against Belgium. For Schopman's Germany, it's simple and in their own hands. They just have to win more points than England. Two draws against England would be enough if they lose both the shootouts. Given their much better goal difference, one outright win for Germany would be enough as India can only equal them in that case. If they lose both matches, however, they'd be under pressure. England are just one point ahead of India, so they are vulnerable too if they can't get a couple of points at least from Germany. England will be safe if India lose both their matches. If England win at least one match against Germany, India will need at least four points from six against China. Finally, India have the toughest task of all three teams. They need at least one positive result from the two matches against China, not easy to begin with. If India get 3 points at least out of 6, England will be forced to win at least one match against Germany. If India somehow get 6 points, they'd still be dependent on England dropping at least one point against Germany. If India do get relegated, then they would have to compete in the next edition of FIH Nations Cup – which is the route they took to earn their current spot in the league. The biggest downside of not being in the Pro League, especially leading up to a World Cup-cum-Asian Games year in 2026, would the lack of structured matches against the best teams in the world. Teams outside the Pro League would be dependent on arranging bilateral Test matches against top teams, and that would be contingent on said teams having time off from their calendars. Even when Pro League wasn't always a priority tournament, it played a big role in the Indian men's team's run to bronze in Tokyo – just the regularity of competing at the top. Having already suffered the setback of not qualifying for Paris 2024, this would further set Indian women's hockey back. Vinayakk Mohanarangan is Senior Assistant Editor and is based in New Delhi. ... Read More

Manika Batra opens up about grit, nutrition & giving back on Herbalife's podcast  'Live Your Best Life, Unscripted'
Manika Batra opens up about grit, nutrition & giving back on Herbalife's podcast  'Live Your Best Life, Unscripted'

Time of India

time31 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Manika Batra opens up about grit, nutrition & giving back on Herbalife's podcast 'Live Your Best Life, Unscripted'

In a world where sports often focus on medals and podium finishes, India's table tennis star Manika Batra brings the spotlight back to what really counts, discipline, consistency, and a mindset built for resilience. In the latest episode of Live Your Best Life, Unscripted, Herbalife India's podcast series hosted by Ajay Khanna, Managing Director of Herbalife India, Manika talks about how sport has shaped her not just as an athlete, but as a person. Titled 'Personal Growth Through Sports: Life Lessons from Table Tennis,' the episode is a refreshingly honest conversation with the Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Paris 2024 Olympian, who became the first Indian woman to reach the round of 16 in singles at the Olympics. 'Sports has been my biggest teacher,' says Manika. 'It's taught me to be disciplined, stay positive, and push through even on the hardest days.' The episode goes beyond wins and records. Manika opens up about overcoming injuries, handling pressure, and finding strength through mental training and breathing exercises. She talks about how setbacks, whether it's a lost match or self-doubt, have pushed her to grow, adapt, and come back stronger. Nutrition also plays a key role in the conversation. As a Delhi native with a fondness for chole bhature, Manika explains how she balances her cravings with the demands of high-performance sport. She also shares her belief in clean supplementation and how Herbalife products have helped her stay fuelled during packed travel schedules and rigorous training. 'Nutrition and supplements are non-negotiable for me,' she adds. 'I trust what I use, especially when I'm competing or recovering.' The episode strikes a balance between inspiration and practical takeaways. From the importance of mental strength in close matches to her dream of launching a training academy for young paddlers, Manika's message is clear: success isn't just about talent, it's about mindset, routine, and giving back to the community. Host Ajay Khanna reflects on the conversation: 'Manika's story is about more than just sports. It's about belief, focus, and the ability to inspire others through action. Her journey perfectly captures what this podcast is about, real stories that encourage us to be better every day.' The episode ends on a fun note with a rapid-fire round, revealing Manika's favorite cheat meal, playlist preferences, and even a fan DM asking her to teach a dog table tennis. Watch the Full Episode Also streaming on: Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Herbalife (NYSE: HLF) is a premier health and wellness company, community and platform that has been changing people's lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers science-backed food products to consumers in more than 90 markets through entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle to live their best life. Live Your Best Life, Unscripted is Herbalife India's wellness-focused podcast series that features candid conversations with athletes, doctors, and changemakers, all sharing insights on living healthier, stronger, and more purposeful lives. More stories. More impact. One episode at a time.

Rohit Sharma wanted REVENGE over Australia, says 'ruined our November 19…'
Rohit Sharma wanted REVENGE over Australia, says 'ruined our November 19…'

India.com

time33 minutes ago

  • India.com

Rohit Sharma wanted REVENGE over Australia, says 'ruined our November 19…'

Team India beat Australia by 24 runs in a Super8 match in T20 World Cup 2024. (Photo: ANI) Former India captain Rohit Sharma can't get over the pain of losing the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 final to Australia at home. Team India had gone into the title clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as the overwhelming favourites but it was Pat Cummins-led side which emerged on top. The next time that India faced Australia in the World Cup was the T20 WC 2024 in the Caribbean in the Super8 stage. Rohit, who led India to the T20 World Cup 2024 title last year – their first after 17 years, revealed that he had revenge on his mind over Australia. 'We knew that if we won this match, Australia would be out. That was a decent motivation for all of us. But cricket is not played thinking about what happened last time. Yes, you want to do well against them. But it is never going to be about the past. That thing is in the back of the mind — they ruined our 19th November. Not just ours, but the whole country's,' Rohit Sharma said exclusively on JioHotstar's special 'Champions Waali Feeling Phir Se'. 'So, we should give them a good gift as well. Yes, in the dressing room all this keeps happening among us — between the boys. But when the toss happens, the game starts — then it is all about how you can do your best. When I am batting, I don't think — let's knock them out. It doesn't work like that. I have to focus on how I can play well against them. That was the only thought in my mind — how can I bat well and contribute.' You heard the stump mic moment, now hear the story behind it ️ Relive the magic as @ImRo45 reacts to his quirky stump mic moment from @T20WorldCup and reveals what was really on his mind! ️ WATCH NOW on JioHotstar… — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 27, 2025 Rohit Sharma had special plans for a defensive Mitchell Starc Captain Rohit led from the front in that Super8 clash against Australia, top-scoring with 92 as India emerged victorious by 24 runs to book their place in the semifinals. Team India posted 205 for 5 thanks to Rohit's brilliant knock and restricted the Aussies to 181 for 7. 'My plan was to attack everyone. I've played against Mitchell Starc for so many years, so I had my own plans. The Australians are very smart. I felt Starc wasn't trying to get me out. When a bowler starts bowling wide and keeping the ball away, he's just looking to survive, to finish his over,' Rohit recalled. 'For me, half the battle is won there. That knock was very special to me. Yes, hundreds are great, but some of the 60s or 70s, considering the match context and occasion, are bigger. It's the World Cup — it means a lot. So yes, I'd put that innings right up there,' he added. 'Threat' before India vs Pakistan match India's T20 World Cup winning skipper Rohit Sharma also reflected on the build-up to the India vs Pakistan clash in New York. 'Before the India vs Pakistan match, we were told there was a threat — something was going on. So, two days before the game, we weren't allowed to step out of the hotel. The atmosphere started building from there. We were ordering food in, and the hotel was so packed you could barely walk. Fans, media — everyone was there. That's when you realise this isn't just another match — something special is about to happen,' Rohit said. 'As soon as we got near the stadium, it already felt like a celebration — Indian fans, Pakistani fans, all dancing and enjoying themselves. I've played so many India–Pakistan games now — I've lost count — but that pre-match energy, that feeling… It's always something else. Nothing compares to it,' he added.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store