In act of tribute to Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s contribution to Indian cricket, the former captain is likely to be given a permanent seat at the Wankhede Stadium where his World-Cup winning six landed, reports said.
Just days after Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket, a member of the Mumbai Cricket Association Apex Council has written a letter to the MCA, proposing that the seat where the ball landed when the then captain hit the winning six be dedicated to him.
“As an act of gratitude and tribute to Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s immense contribution to Indian cricket, the MCA can devote a permanent seat on his name at the stand where his famous World Cup-winning six had landed,” read the letter by Ajinkya Naik, according to the report in the Indian Express.
“We can find out the area where the ball landed—and which seat it was flying to—after Dhoni smashed it to win the 2011 World Cup,” it further read.
Dhoni’s six sealed India’s victory in the 2011 ICC 50-over World Cup in the final against Sri Lanka. This was India’s second World Cup title after 1983.
Usually, in India, stands in stadiums are named in honour of cricket greats. The tradition to name seats in honour of cricketers is seen outside the country.
In 2015, Grant Elliot hit a six off Dale Steyn to help New Zealand reach the ICC World Cup final for the first time. A seat was named in Elliot’s honour, with the plaque at the seat reading, “Here Lies the Resting Place of Grant Elliott’s Mighty Six That Propelled the Blackcaps on March 24, 2015, into their maiden World Cup Final.”
Dhoni made the decision to hang up his boots after a glorious career, having propelled India to two world titles—the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. He also led the side to the Champions Trophy title in 2013.