Seeing Ravi Shastri’s name on a Wankhede Stadium stand will fill me with pride, because it reminds me that in cricket, as in life, attitude and courage will always find their place

Ravi Shastri walks back to the dressing room after guiding Mumbai to victory over Saurashtra with an unbeaten 93 in the West Zone Ranji Trophy fixture at Wankhede Stadium. Season captain Sachin Tendulkar (right) returns with 80 not out on January 3, 1994. Pic/mid-day archives

Some names are written on scoreboards. Some are etched in memory. And a rare few find their way into the very soul of a stadium. Today, as the North Stand at the iconic Wankhede Stadium bears the name of Ravi Shastri, I don’t just see a signboard being unveiled. I see years unfolding —quietly, vividly — like an old film reel playing in the mind.

In that moment, I find myself not merely celebrating a cricketer but remembering a teammate, a friend, and a personality who always stood tall — on and off the field.

I have known Ravi since our early days — club cricket, University matches, and then representing India together. I called him ‘Sindhi’ out of affection, and he would call me ‘Don’ in return. That was our bond — simple, genuine, and built over years of shared journeys. 

Ravi was never the most naturally gifted........

© Midday