For more than a century, the iconic Honors Boards at venues such as Lord’s, Wankhede Stadium and several other historic venues have stood as symbols of cricketing immortality. Generations of players walked into these stadiums, looked up at the golden writing that immortalized centuries and five-wicket hauls, and dreamed that one day their own names could be etched among the legends. For cricketers, finding a place on this board has long been considered the sport’s equivalent of climbing Mount Everest.
However, this week, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) decided to extend that tradition. And in doing so, they honored another group of stalwarts who shaped the game in their own way: sports journalists.
In a special ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium, MCA President Ajinkya Naik unveiled the first-of-its-kind Journalist Honorary Plaque inside the Balasaheb Thackeray Press Box on the eve of India’s World T20 semi-final against England.
While plaques celebrating players are common at cricket venues around the world, this MCA initiative represents a rare and thoughtful recognition of the writers, reporters and broadcasters who have spent decades documenting sporting triumphs, heartbreaks and defining moments.
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For many of those present, this moment had a deep symbolic meaning. The press box itself, from which countless matches have been reported, will now permanently bear the names of those who have dedicated their careers to telling cricket stories.
‘INDIAN CRICKET STANDS ON FOUR PILLARS’
In an exclusive interaction with IndiaToday.in, MCA President Ajinkya Naik explained that cricket, like democracy, survives and thrives because of strong institutions that work together.
“India’s constitution stands on four pillars and I believe cricket works in a similar way,” Naik said.
“Players and administrators fulfill their roles on and off the pitch, but the responsibility to bring these stories to the people lies with the journalists. They are the ones who build the bridge between the stadium and the fans.”
Naik pointed out that many legendary cricketers became famous not only because of their performances but also because of how their achievements were narrated and preserved by the media. While players produce moments on the pitch, it’s journalists who turn those moments into stories that inspire generations.
What makes the new Honors Board particularly meaningful is the breadth of its recognition. It does not only celebrate those who have been involved in international cricket at the Wankhede. It also pays tribute to journalists who have spent years reporting from Mumbai’s famed maidans – a vast network of local cricket grounds – identifying and writing about young talent long before those players started representing India.
“We wanted to make sure we didn’t forget the people who told the stories when things were much more basic,” he said.
“Cricket journalism has come a long way. From the days of radio commentary and print reports to the TV era and now into the fast-paced world of digital and social media.”
“In this era of modernization, the media has become even more active and influential. By putting the names of these storytellers on the walls of the Wankhede, we want to ensure that their legacy lives on.” Journalists were felicitated ahead of the T20 World Cup semi-final. Courtesy: MCA
A progressive step
The initiative also reflects a broader and more proactive approach within the Mumbai Cricket Association.
“My job is to be proactive and make sure everyone gets what they deserve,” Naik said. “Our Apex Council is made up of like-minded, progressive thinkers and this function is a reflection of that thinking.”
A permanent honor
The Honorary Journalist Board will now remain a permanent fixture at the Wankhede Stadium. It reminds us that while the players provide the action on the field, the journalists preserve the history of the game.
For the veterans whose names now shine in gold on the walls of the press box, it is a long overdue gesture of gratitude from the heart of Mumbai cricket.
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FULL LIST
- KN Prabhu – Tech Word News
- Pradeep K. Vijayakar – Tech Word News
- VV Karmarkar – Maharashtra Times
- Ron Hendricks – Indian Express
- Saby Fernandes – Indian Express
- SK Sham – Free Press Journal (+ The Independent)
- Suhas K. Agashe – United News of India (UNI)
- Surendra Modi – Janmabhoomi / Pravasi
- Sharad Kotnis – Sportsweek / Noon
- Dicky Rutnagur – Freelancer
- Suresh Saraiya – Freelancer
- Vinod Vasudeo – Freelancer
- Sundar Rajan – Tech Word News
- Girish Dixit – Tech Word News
- Chandrashekhar P. Sant – Maharashtra Times
- ATP Sarathy – Indian Express (+ The Daily)
- Suryakant Hattangadkar – Loksatta
- Thomas Rocha – Free Press Journal
- Gautam Sathe – United News of India (UNI)
- Haresh Munwani – Sports World
- Raju Bharatan – Illustrated Weekly of India
- AFS Talyarkhan – Freelancer
- Dwarkanath Sanzgiri – Freelancer
- Albert D’Souza – Freelancer
- GK Menon – Tech Word News (+ Indian Express)
- William Couto – Tech Word News
- Shivshankar Singh – Navbharat Times
- Rajan Bala – Indian Express (+ afternoon dispatch and courier)
- Atmaram More – Loksatta
- SV Seshadri – Press Trust of India (PTI)
- Dara Pochkhanawalla – Bombay Samachar
- Vivek Bendre – The Hindu (+ The Indian Express)
- Javed Akhtar – The Daily (+ Mid-Day)
- Anant Setalvad – Freelancer
- Jayant Nene – Freelancer
- Gopal Bhat – Freelancer
– The end
Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
04 March 2026 18:51 IST
