MCA To Name Wankhede Stadium Lounge After Former Indian Skipper Ajit Wadekar

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) in its Apex meeting on Thursday has decided to name its lounge, situated on the premises of Wankhede Stadium after former India skipper Ajit Wadekar. Ajit Wadekar will go down in Indian history as one of the famous captains after leading India to a maiden test series wins in West Indies and England in 1971. His test career lasted eight years for India in which he played 37 tests and 2 ODIs.

MCA has named a lot of stands after the Mumbai greats and this will be a gesture to welcome the efforts of Ajit Wadekar who played a lot of crucial rules on the overseas tours. He was proudly called the overseas crusader after winning two of the toughest tours and he will remain in the hearts of the Indians always. At the age of 77, the famous Mumbaikar passed away in 2018.

Mumbai’s Dismal Performance In Recent Times

MCA wanted to name a stand after Wadekar but since all the stands are already named, they went with the lounge. MCA also decided to name the President’s box at the Wankhede Stadium after its former president and two-time Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. MCA investigated the dismal performance of Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy who lost four on the trot and were knocked out.

“Our Apex council took these decisions to rename the lounge after Wadekar and President’s box after Deshmukh unanimously. These decisions will now be ratified at the MCA’s Annual General Meeting(AGM),” told MCA secretary Sanjay Naik to TOI.

“Ideally we wanted to name a stand in the Wankhede Stadium after Wadekar sir, but all the stands are already named after some Mumbai great or the other,” said a source.

Appointment Of New Coach For Mumbai

Sanjay Naik also added that a new coach will be appointed due to the resignation of Amit Pagnis. He also told about the continuation of the Cricket Improvement Committee(CIC) whose tenure has ended. Naik mentioned conducting practice for the 75 chosen probables for the next BCCI tournament.

“The Apex Council has authorized the office bearers to take a call on the continuation of the Cricket Improvement Committee and on appointing a new coach. The current CIC’s term has ended. We will appoint a new coach in two days time,” Naik said.

MCA has decided to conduct “practice for around 75 chosen probables at BKC,” Naik added.

Mumbai who has struggled to find form even with a lot of experience in their lineup will be looking to come back strong in the next BCCI tournament.