BIPIN DANI
The Wankhede Stadium gleamed under the golden hue of the setting sun, its seats brimming with eager fans awaiting the unveiling of a new landmark the Rohit Sharma Stand. For Mumbai, it was more than just a tribute; it was a testament to decades of elegance, dominance, and match-winning genius that Rohit had brought to Indian cricket.
The grand ceremony unfolded with heartfelt speeches and a flood of emotions. His parents, who had witnessed his transformation from a promising schoolboy to a global cricket icon, stood proudly. His brother, beaming with pride, had always been his silent pillar of support. His wife, the steadfast force in his life, smiled through misty eyes as Rohit stepped up to speak.
He expressed his gratitude the kind of speech that mirrored the humility he had carried throughout his career. Parents, family, fans he acknowledged them all. But one name was conspicuously absent.
Dinesh Lad. The childhood coach who saw a young boy wielding a bat with unorthodox flair and carved him into a cricketer of substance. The mentor who recognized potential in a schoolboy and helped him secure a scholarship that changed his life. It was a name that had shaped the very foundation of the cricketer Mumbai was celebrating.
The silence surrounding Lad’s name stood in sharp contrast to the precedent set by another Mumbai great, Sachin Tendulkar. Time and again, Tendulkar had credited his late coach, Ramakant Achrekar, acknowledging him in every major milestone of his career. Achrekar’s guidance had been as integral to Tendulkar’s journey as his own talent and hard work.
The absence of Lad’s name did not go unnoticed. Conversations buzzed in the stands and among cricketing circles was it an oversight, or was there a reason behind it? Perhaps, Rohit’s gratitude toward Lad was known but left unsaid in public spaces. Or perhaps, in that overwhelming moment, he simply didn’t realize that the man who set his journey into motion deserved a mention.
But regardless of the missing tribute, the evening remained monumental. The Wankhede Stadium now bore the name of another Mumbai maestro. Fans erupted in applause, fireworks lit up the sky, and history was written.
Rohit Sharma had joined the pantheon of legends. And despite the missing acknowledgement, one thing was certain—Dinesh Lad’s contribution, much like Achrekar, would never truly be forgotten.
