Rohit Sharma steals the show with his ‘shanagiri’ at Wankhede’s 50th anniversary celebrations

Wankhede Stadium’s 50th-anniversary event on Sunday was filled with excitement, nostalgia, and fun as India’s captain Rohit Sharma and cricket legends reflected on the venue’s rich legacy.

New Delhi: Wankhede Stadium’s 50th-anniversary event on Sunday was filled with excitement, nostalgia, and fun as India’s captain Rohit Sharma and cricket legends reflected on the venue’s rich legacy. Organized by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), the celebration brought together cricketing icons and fans in a vibrant atmosphere.

One of the evening’s standout moments featured Rohit Sharma’s lighthearted antics. A video posted by Mumbai Indians showed him energetically engaging with the crowd, inviting someone to join him on stage while performing playful dance moves.

Shreyas Iyer, clearly entertained by Rohit’s spontaneous gestures, couldn’t help but laugh. Standing next to him was Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of Team India, who was visibly amused by the moment.

Watch video below:

#Wankhede50 #MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/Lb7WWQCiJL

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) January 19, 2025

Amid the celebrations, Rohit addressed the audience, offering hope to fans disappointed by India’s recent series losses.

Speaking about the 2025 Champions Trophy, Rohit expressed his ambition to bring the title to Wankhede, recalling iconic victories like the 2011 ODI World Cup and the T20 triumphs of 2007 and 2024.

“I’m sure that the wishes of 140 crore Indians will be behind us when we land in Dubai for the Champions Trophy. We will try to do well and bring the Champions Trophy 2025 to the Wankhede Stadium,” Rohit affirmed, ahead of the Dubai-hosted tournament starting February 19.

Former coach Ravi Shastri added his trademark flair, reliving his historic six-sixes-in-an-over feat from a Ranji Trophy match at Wankhede in 1985.

The MCA also honoured legendary players, including Sunil Gavaskar, Ajinkya Rahane, and Sachin Tendulkar, alongside survivors of Wankhede’s inaugural first-class game. Additionally, tributes were paid to coach Vilas Godbole, the last surviving member of the 1972–73 committee that oversaw the stadium’s construction.