Rohit Sharma’s parents cry, wife Ritika slides behind father-in-law to hide tears in emotional overflow at Wankhede

Just before the formal reveal of a stand named in his honor at the renowned Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Rohit Sharma stepped off the stage to bring his parents and spouse, Ritika, onto the platform. For Rohit, family has always been a priority, and he wouldn’t celebrate a significant milestone in his life without his parents and wife by his side.

At the count of three, Rohit’s parents, Purnima and Gurunath, along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, pressed the buzzer to initiate the fireworks. The Rohit Sharma stand at Wankhede Stadium was officially revealed while Ritika did her utmost to conceal herself behind her father-in-law to prevent anyone from seeing the tears in her eyes. Yet everyone did.

It was a heartfelt moment for Rohit Sharma and his whole family. He personally choked several times while giving a speech just moments before the unveiling. As they listened to their son recount the sacrifices they made to enable this moment, Rohit’s parents were shedding tears that can best be described as “khushi ke aansoo.”

“It’s going to be even more special, to have my family here, parents, brother, wife. I am grateful and thankful for whatever they have sacrificed for me,” Rohit said in a ceremony organised by the Mumbai Cricket Association.

Apart from Rohit, former India skipper Ajit Wadekar, and ex-BCCI president Sharad Pawar too were honoured with stands donning their names.

For Rohit, it was a moment he had dreamt of from childhood, to get mentioned in the same breath as some of the towering names of Indian cricket.

He was chuffed to the core too.

“What is going to happen today, I have never dreamed of. As a kid growing up, I wanted to play for Mumbai, for India. For me to have my name amongst the greats of the game, I cannot express it in words.

“This is also special as I am still playing. I have retired from two formats, but I am still playing one format,” he said.

But for someone who has achieved so much as a cricketer, Rohit harboured one more wish.

“It will be surreal when I play on 21st (for Mumbai Indians in IPL) and have a stand here, it will be special when I represent the country here,” added Rohit, hinting at his desire to play an ODI at the Wankhede.

Rohit has already retired from T20Is and Test cricket after serving the nation with distinction It was also special for him because Wankhede was one venue that shaped his cricketing dreams.