\u201cIt\u2019s an honour. It\u2019s a privilege to get it on the ground,\u201d Shastri said moments after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled the stand on the north side of the stadium in the presence of Shastri\u2019s family, including his 86-year-old mother Lakshmi.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the illustrious names already associated with the venue, Shastri emphasised the standards expected of Mumbai cricketers. \u201cWhen you look at the names there (for various stands), (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Dilip) Vengsarkar, (Sunil) Gavaskar, (Rohit) Sharma, and then of course the Gates. It\u2019s an association that is rich in tradition. And above all, winners. They win more than anybody else,\u201d Shastri said.<\/p>\n
Encouraging aspiring players to follow Mumbai\u2019s traditional route, Shastri added: \u201cSo to get upstairs there, you have got to work your backside off. It won\u2019t come easy. So, whoever is young, whoever is aspiring, there is no shortcut. Take those trains, take those buses, do the rounds of the maidans, play First-Class cricket as much as you can, and play whatever cricket that is available. Because that\u2019s the only way you will become a better cricketer. The prime example is Sachin Tendulkar.\u201d<\/p>\n
Besides the Ravi Shastri Stand – stadium gates in the name of Diana Eduji, late Dilip Sardesai and late Eknath Solkar were also unveiled. While Edulji was present, the families of Solkar and Sardesai were present to witness the tribute to stalwarts of Mumbai cricket.<\/p>\n
Shastri\u2019s family \u2014 including his mother, wife Ritu and daughter Alekha \u2014 were present, along with several friends from his school and college days. Sunil Gavaskar, his first Test captain, Dilip Vengsarkar, his long-time Mumbai and India teammate, and Suryakumar Yadav also shared the dais.<\/p>\n