For more than a century, the iconic Honours Boards at venues such as Lord’s, Wankhede Stadium and several other historic grounds have stood as symbols of cricketing immortality. Generations of players have walked into these stadiums, glancing up at the golden lettering that immortalises centuries and five-wicket hauls, dreaming that one day their own names might be etched among the legends. For cricketers, finding a place on that board has long been regarded as the sport’s equivalent of scaling Mount Everest.
This week, however, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) chose to expand that tradition. And in doing so honoured a different group of stalwarts who have shaped the game in their own way: sports journalists.
In a special ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium, MCA President Ajinkya Naik unveiled a first-of-its-kind Journalists’ Honours Board inside the Balasaheb Thackeray Press Box on the eve of India’s T20 World Cup semifinal against England.
While honours boards celebrating players are common across cricketing venues worldwide, this initiative by the MCA marks a rare and thoughtful recognition of the writers, reporters and broadcasters who have spent decades documenting the sport’s triumphs, heartbreaks and defining moments.
For many in attendance, the moment carried deep symbolic meaning. The very press box from which countless matches have been reported will now permanently carry the names of those who dedicated their careers to telling cricket’s stories.
‘INDIAN CRICKET STANDS ON FOUR PILLARS’
In an exclusive interaction with IndiaToday.in, MCA President Ajinkya Naik explained that cricket, much like a democracy, survives and thrives because of strong institutions working together.
“The Indian Constitution stands on four pillars, and I believe cricket functions in a similar way,” Naik said.
“Players and administrators perform their roles on and off the field, but the responsibility of taking those stories to the people lies with the journalists. They are the ones who build the bridge between the stadium and the fans.”
Naik emphasised that many legendary cricketers became household names not only because of their performances, but also because of the way their achievements were narrated and preserved by the media. While players produce moments on the field, it is journalists who turn those moments into stories that inspire generations.
What makes the new Honours Board particularly meaningful is the breadth of its recognition. It does not only celebrate those who have covered international cricket at the Wankhede. It also pays tribute to journalists who spent years reporting from Mumbai’s famed maidans — the city’s vast network of local cricket grounds — identifying and writing about young talent long before those players went on to represent India.
“We wanted to ensure that we did not forget the people who told the stories when everything was far more basic,” he said.
“Cricket journalism has travelled a long way. From the days of radio commentary and print reports, to the television era, and now to the fast-paced world of digital and social media.”
“In this era of modernisation, the media has become even more active and influential. By bringing the names of those storytellers to the walls of Wankhede, we want to ensure their legacy lives on.”
A Progressive Step
The initiative also reflects a broader, more proactive approach within the Mumbai Cricket Association.
“My job is to be proactive and to make sure everyone gets their due,” Naik said. “Our Apex Council consists of like-minded, progressive thinkers, and this function is a reflection of that mindset.”
A Permanent Tribute
The Journalists’ Honours Board will now remain a permanent fixture inside the Wankhede Stadium. It stands as a reminder that while players provide the action on the field, 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
- K. N. Prabhu – Times of India
- Pradeep K. Vijayakar – Times of India
- V. V. Karmarkar – Maharashtra Times
- Ron Hendricks – Indian Express
- Saby Fernandes – Indian Express
- S. K. Sham – Free Press Journal (+ The Independent)
- Suhas K. Agashe – United News of India (UNI)
- Surendra Modi – Janmabhoomi / Pravasi
- Sharad Kotnis – Sportsweek / Mid-Day
- Dicky Rutnagur – Freelancer
- Suresh Saraiya – Freelancer
- Vinod Vasudeo – Freelancer
- Sundar Rajan – Times of India
- Girish Dixit – Times of India
- Chandrashekhar P. Sant – Maharashtra Times
- A. T. P. Sarathy – Indian Express (+ The Daily)
- Suryakant Hattangadkar – Loksatta
- Thomas Rocha – Free Press Journal
- Gautam Sathe – United News of India (UNI)
- Haresh Munwani – Sportsworld
- Raju Bharatan – Illustrated Weekly of India
- A. F. S. Talyarkhan – Freelancer
- Dwarkanath Sanzgiri – Freelancer
- Albert D’Souza – Freelancer
- G. K. Menon – Times of India (+ Indian Express)
- William Couto – Times of India
- Shivshankar Singh – Navbharat Times
- Rajan Bala – Indian Express (+ Afternoon Dispatch & Courier)
- Atmaram More – Loksatta
- S. V. Seshadri – Press Trust of India (PTI)
- Dara Pochkhanawalla – Mumbai Samachar
- Vivek Bendre – The Hindu (+ The Indian Express)
- Javed Akhtar – The Daily (+ Mid-Day)
- Anant Setalvad – Freelancer
- Jayant Nene – Freelancer
- Gopal Bhat – Freelancer
