Wankhede Stadium launched T20 World Cup 2026 with Bollywood glamour and a sense of nostalgia. Rohit Sharma was met with a standing ovation as Suryakumar Yadav’s 84 saved India from a scare against the USA.
Wankhede Welcomes Rohit Sharma With Emotion and Applause
The Wankhede Stadium experienced a surge of emotion, nostalgia, and goosebumps as the T20 World Cup 2026 was formally inaugurated on Saturday.
Bollywood allure, vibrant music, and stunning visuals dominated the night, yet it was clear: the loudest cheer was for Rohit Sharma.
Returning to the field where he guided India to World Cup victory in 2024, Rohit appeared deeply emotional.
Field par khade hote hue, Tournament Ambassador ne kaha, “Yahan ajeeb lag raha hai.” “Waha se idhar ajeeb lag raha hai”, yeh bataate hue ke is taraf dhaage ke khilaf hone ka kya ajeeb ehsaas hai jabke woh team ko aage laana chahte the.
The audience sensed it as well. Rohit received a standing ovation, with “Mumbai Cha Raja” chants echoing through the crowd. “It’s always great to be here,” he remarked afterward. “They are passionate about their cricket here.” ” Mumbai’s vibe is always exhilarating.”
Rohit stood with ICC chairman Jay Shah to formally unveil the tournament, raising the trophy again.
For supporters in Mumbai, it was an emotional moment: their hometown star holding the trophy once more, albeit just symbolically this time.
“Rohit pondered, “It evokes an emotional sensation.” “I’m still not accustomed to being on this side of the field.” “Times like these won’t return.”
‘Pagal Hai Kya?’: Rohit Sharma’s Playful Advice to SKY
When the teams gathered for the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav approached his former captain for prompt guidance on the decision to make if India won the toss.
Yadav, smiling and feeling rushed, inquired of Rohit, “Jaldi bolo batting karu ya bowling?”
Rohit Sharma replied in his usual laid-back manner, “Fielding kar, pagal hai kya?” which left everyone nearby in laughter.
Even Yuzvendra Chahal, while on broadcasting duty, couldn’t help but dash over to greet his ex-captain.
India withstands USA threat
And just as the nostalgia faded, the cricket dealt its own blow to the gut.
On the opening day, the USA became the third team to pose a surprise, dismantling India’s formidable batting lineup and putting them in a precarious position at 46/4 and 77/6.
Then Suryakumar Yadav stepped in.
Dropped on 17, SKY transformed turmoil into mastery with an incredible 84 off 49*, a performance that was equally about evasion and aggression. On a challenging pitch, he turned the game around in the final stages — scoring 48 runs from his last 18 balls, featuring a chaotic 21-run last over, sending wide deliveries to the leg-side boundary and frequently landing flat on his back.
With a target to protect, India’s bowlers completed the task. Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh claimed early wickets and maintained pressure throughout the chase, achieving the lowest successful T20I defense at Wankhede
✅FAQ Block
❓ What did Rohit Sharma say to Suryakumar Yadav before the toss?
Rohit Sharma jokingly told Suryakumar Yadav, “Fielding kar, pagal hai kya?” when SKY asked for quick advice on whether to bat or bowl.
❓ Why was Rohit Sharma’s presence at Wankhede emotional?
Rohit Sharma returned to Wankhede Stadium, where he had earlier guided India to a World Cup victory, and received a standing ovation from the Mumbai crowd.
❓ What role did Rohit Sharma play during the T20 World Cup 2026 opening ceremony?
Rohit Sharma unveiled the T20 World Cup 2026 trophy alongside ICC chairman Jay Shah during the opening ceremony at Wankhede Stadium.
❓ How did India recover after early batting troubles against the USA?
Suryakumar Yadav scored an unbeaten 84 off 49 balls, stabilizing India’s innings after a collapse and helping the team reach a defendable total.
❓ Why is Rohit Sharma still significant to Indian cricket despite not playing?
Rohit Sharma’s leadership legacy, emotional connection with fans, and influence on current players continue to define major moments in Indian cricket.
Stranger Things Season 6 Explained: End of the Road or New Beginning?
January 2, 2026
Stranger Things Season 6 Explained: The creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers, have consistently stated that Season 5 was intended to be the concluding installment of the narrative. With the conclusion of Stranger Things 5, fans are left wondering: Is a sixth season of the popular Netflix series in the works? Fans believe this because the conclusion of Stranger
157 Off 75 Balls! Sarfaraz Khan Unleashes One of the Greatest Vijay Hazare Knocks
December 31, 2025
While at the crease in the current match against Goa, Sarfaraz Khan hit 9 fours and 14 sixes for the team captained by Shardul Thakur. Sarfaraz Khan’s Carnage! Mumbai Star Blasts 157 Off 75 to Demolish Goa in Vijay Hazare Trophy Sarfaraz Khan is excelling with the bat for Mumbai in the current Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite Group C match
BCCI Breaks Silence on Gautam Gambhir’s Future After Test Setbacks
December 30, 2025
Gautam Gambhir has successfully secured only 7 out of 19 Tests played to date as the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket squad. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has no intentions of severing ties with Gautam Gambhir, even with India’s disappointing performances in Test matches since he took on the leadership role. The ex-left-handed batsman
Who Is Sonam Yeshey? Bhutan Spinner Who Created T20I History
December 29, 2025
Bhutan’s Sonam Yeshey made cricket history on Friday by being the first bowler to achieve an eight-wicket haul in T20 Internationals, producing a performance that will be regarded as one of the format’s most remarkable accomplishments. The 22-year-old left-arm spinner reached the milestone in the third T20I versus Myanmar in Gelephu, delivering remarkable figures of 8 for 7 in four
“Too Much Too Soon”: Monty Panesar Questions Shubman Gill’s All-Format Captaincy
December 29, 2025
Former England cricketer Monty Panesar has slammed India’s Test captain Shubman Gill, stating the young player is complacent and not yet ready to meet the challenges of all three formats on the international stage. While recognizing Gill’s inherent skill, Panesar noted that the batter often delivers “lazy shots” in games and lacks the intensity that characterized Virat Kohli’s performances in
Ishan Kishan’s Long Road Back: How Domestic Cricket Rewrote His India Story
December 28, 2025
Ishan Kishan’s focused return from 2023 absence culminated in a SMAT 2025 championship for Jharkhand and a T20 World Cup 2026 call-up, demonstrating that form and perseverance outweighed hype and redemption narratives. October 2025 signified the actual reset. Kishan’s century in the Ranji Trophy versus Tamil Nadu in Coimbatore wasn’t focused on selection rumors or redemption stories. It was time
Pep vs The Lens Again: Guardiola’s Camera Rage Turns Comic After Forest Win
December 28, 2025
Guardiola’s humorous confrontation with a cameraman grabbed attention following City’s hard-fought 2-1 victory against Forest. When the Camera Crossed the Line: Pep Guardiola’s Viral Moment Steals the Show Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City secured a gritty 2–1 victory against Nottingham Forest on Saturday — yet the post-match visuals once again highlighted the City manager rather than the final score. City had
SmackDown’s Final Bell of 2025: Carmelo Hayes Claims U.S. Title Glory
December 27, 2025
WWE SmackDown wrapped up 2025 with its last two-hour show before transitioning to an extended format next year. WWE SmackDown was broadcast for the last time in 2025, signaling the conclusion of its two-hour format before transitioning to a three-hour format in 2026. The previous test conducted earlier this year yielded unsatisfactory results, leading to curiosity about whether this extended
Deepti Sharma Rewrites Cricket History, Crosses 150 T20I Wickets in Landmark Spell
December 27, 2025
India’s top all-rounder Deepti Sharma delivered a performance filled with records in the third T20 International against Sri Lanka, surpassing Australian legend Ellyse Perry to claim the position of the third-highest wicket-taker in women’s international cricket. Deepti Sharma posted figures of 3 for 18 at Thiruvananthapuram, bringing her total to 333 international wickets, surpassing Perry, who concluded her career with
From Record-Breaking Runs to Rashtrapati Bhavan: 14-Year-Old Vaibhav Suryavanshi Honoured with Bal Puraskar
December 26, 2025
Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 14 years old, was awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Teenage cricket prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi traded runs for accolades on Friday when he received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Read More: At Just 14, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Redefines Cricketing History