Ahead of their crucial IPL 2025 fixture against Delhi Capitals on Wednesday, a sea of fans dressed in special blue jerseys and unique masks featuring Rohit's smiling face filled the stands, creating a powerful visual homage to the man affectionately dubbed 'Mumbai Cha Raja' (the King of Mumbai)
Wednesday’s IPL match marked Rohit's first appearance since stepping away from the red-ball format (Photo:IPL/BCCI/X)
Mumbai Indians fans came together to honour Rohit Sharma with a touching tribute at the Wankhede Stadium, celebrating his legacy in Test cricket. Ahead of their crucial IPL 2025 fixture against Delhi Capitals on Wednesday, a sea of fans dressed in special blue jerseys and unique masks featuring Rohit's smiling face filled the stands, creating a powerful visual homage to the man affectionately dubbed 'Mumbai Cha Raja' (the King of Mumbai).
The occasion was marked by the distribution of customised jerseys boldly bearing the phrase 'Mumbai Cha Raja'. The fans also sported specially made masks showcasing the former Test skipper’s iconic smile. Organisers deliberately chose blue jerseys, instead of traditional Test whites, to maintain clear visibility during the match, which is played with a white ball.
VIDEO | #IPL2025: Mumbai Indians (MI) fans gather outside Wankhede Stadium ahead of the match against Delhi Capitals, hopeful for a MI victory.#MumbaiIndians #DelhiCapitals
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 21, 2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/c8Vls3EqrW
"Mumbai Cha Raja" jerseys🗿🔥
— Gillfied⁷ (@Gill_Iss) May 21, 2025
- When you are big...You are big...
{Rohit Sharma} pic.twitter.com/JXI4nFY4df
Additionally, a section of fans came dressed in whites as part of the emotional send-off, which followed Rohit’s formal announcement of retirement from Test cricket on May 7.
Fans in special white t-shirt and test jersey for Rohit Sharma at Wankhade stadium.🥹🤍 pic.twitter.com/u3xhv0ZfZE
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) May 21, 2025
Fans wearing Rohit Sharma Test jersey in Wankhede stadium.🥶 pic.twitter.com/tgDNm18A1b
— 𝐍𝐏𝐋 (@NPL_45) May 21, 2025
Wednesday’s IPL match marked his first appearance since stepping away from the red-ball format. Rohit featured in the playing XI for Mumbai Indians, who made a solitary change by bringing in Mitchell Santner in place of Corbin Bosch for the high-stakes encounter.
Just a week earlier, Rohit was honoured at the same venue with the inauguration of the newly renamed ‘Rohit Sharma Stand’. It was a fitting tribute to a player who not only led India to historic triumphs in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy but also shaped the modern Indian Test side with grit and resilience.
While Rohit has bid farewell to Test cricket, he is far from done. The 38-year-old will continue to play a vital role in India’s ODI setup and remain a key figure in the IPL. His Test career concludes with an impressive tally of 4,301 runs from 67 matches, during which he captained India in 24 Tests between 2022 and 2024.
Rohit’s retirement, coming just days after Virat Kohli also stepped down from the Test format, signals the end of a golden era. The upcoming five-match Test series in England, scheduled from 20 June to 4 August, will kick off India’s new World Test Championship campaign without either of the modern greats. The BCCI is expected to name India’s new red-ball captain and the touring squad on May 24.
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