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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Seventy-six mayors ruled BMC since 1931

After four years, Mumbai to salute its first citizen Kishori Pednekar Vishwanath Mahadeshwar Snehal Ambekar Sunil Prabhu Mumbai: As the date for appointing Mumbai’s First Citizen looms closer, various political parties have adopted tough posturing to foist their own person for the coveted post of Mayor – the ‘face’ of the country’s commercial capital. Ruling Mahayuti allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have vowed that the city...

Seventy-six mayors ruled BMC since 1931

After four years, Mumbai to salute its first citizen Kishori Pednekar Vishwanath Mahadeshwar Snehal Ambekar Sunil Prabhu Mumbai: As the date for appointing Mumbai’s First Citizen looms closer, various political parties have adopted tough posturing to foist their own person for the coveted post of Mayor – the ‘face’ of the country’s commercial capital. Ruling Mahayuti allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have vowed that the city will get a ‘Hindu Marathi’ person to head India’s richest civic body, while the Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena also harbour fond hopes of a miracle that could ensure their own person for the post. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) optimism stems from expectations of possible political permutations-combinations that could develop with a realignment of forces as the Supreme Court is hearing the cases involving the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party this week. Catapulted as the largest single party, the BJP hopes to install a first ever party-man as Mayor, but that may not create history. Way back in 1982-1983, a BJP leader Dr. Prabhakar Pai had served in the top post in Mumbai (then Bombay). Incidentally, Dr. Pai hailed from Udupi district of Karnataka, and his appointment came barely a couple of years after the BJP was formed (1980), capping a distinguished career as a city father, said experts. Originally a Congressman, Dr. Pai later shifted to the Bharatiya Janata Party, then back to Congress briefly, founded the Janata Seva Sangh before immersing himself in social activities. Second Administrator The 2026 Mayoral elections have evoked huge interest not only among Mumbaikars but across the country as it comes after nearly four years since the BMC was governed by an Administrator. This was only the second time in the BMC history that an Administrator was named after April 1984-May 1985. On both occasions, there were election-related issues, the first time the elections got delayed for certain reasons and the second time the polling was put off owing to Ward delimitations and OBC quotas as the matter was pending in the courts. From 1931 till 2022, Mumbai has been lorded over by 76 Mayors, men and women, hailing from various regions, backgrounds, castes and communities. They included Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis, Sikhs, even a Jew, etc., truly reflecting the cosmopolitan personality of the coastal city and India’s financial powerhouse. In 1931-1932, the Mayor was a Parsi, J. B. Boman Behram, and others from his community followed like Khurshed Framji Nariman (after whom Nariman Point is named), E. A. Bandukwala, Minoo Masani, B. N. Karanjia and other bigwigs. There were Muslims like Hoosenally Rahimtoola, Sultan M. Chinoy, the legendary Yusuf Meherally, Dr. A. U. Memon and others. The Christian community got a fair share of Mayors with Joseph A. D’Souza – who was Member of Constituent Assembly representing Bombay Province for writing-approving the Constitution of India, M. U. Mascarenhas, P. A. Dias, Simon C. Fernandes, J. Leon D’Souza, et al. A Jew Elijah Moses (1937-1938) and a Sikh M. H. Bedi (1983-1984), served as Mayors, but post-1985, for the past 40 years, nobody from any minority community occupied the august post. During the silver jubilee year of the post, Sulochana M. Modi became the first woman Mayor of Mumbai (1956), and later with tweaks in the rules, many women ruled in this post – Nirmala Samant-Prabhavalkar (1994-1995), Vishakha Raut (997-1998), Dr. Shubha Raul (March 2007-Nov. 2009), Shraddha Jadhav (Dec. 2009-March 2012), Snehal Ambedkar (Sep. 2014-March 2017). The last incumbent (before the Administrator) was a government nurse, Kishori Pednekar (Nov. 2019-March 2022) - who earned the sobriquet of ‘Florence Nightingale’ of Mumbai - as she flitted around in her full white uniform at the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic, earning the admiration of the citizens. Mumbai Mayor – high-profile post The Mumbai Mayor’s post is considered a crucial step in the political ladder and many went on to become MLAs, MPs, state-central ministers, a Lok Sabha Speaker, Chief Ministers and union ministers. The formidable S. K. Patil was Mayor (1949-1952) and later served in the union cabinets of PMs Jawaharlal Nehru, Lah Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi; Dahyabhai V. Patel (1954-1955) was the son of India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel; Manohar Joshi (1976-1977) became the CM of Maharashtra, later union minister and Speaker of Lok Sabha; Chhagan Bhujbal (1985-1986 – 1990-1991) became a Deputy CM.

Why Rohit Sharma is Crucial for India’s ODI WC Quest

In the high-stakes theatre of ODI cricket, where India’s quest for a third World Cup title looms large—likely in 2027, but with eyes already on the 2025 Champions Trophy as a dress rehearsal—few players embody the blend of aggression, experience, and leadership quite like Rohit Sharma. The “Hitman”, as he’s aptly nicknamed, isn’t just an opener; he’s the spark that ignites India’s batting engine. With whispers of retirement post-T20 World Cup 2024 and a lean patch in bilateral series, some question his place in the white-ball setup. But stats don’t lie: Rohit is not a luxury; he’s a necessity. Dismissing him would be like handing India a lit fuse without the dynamite.


Let’s start with the numbers that define his batting mastery. Across 262 ODIs as of late 2025, Rohit has amassed 10,709 runs at an average of 49.12 and a blistering strike rate of 104.16—figures that place him among the elite openers in ODI history. His 30 centuries (a record for an Indian in the format) and 55 half-centuries underscore his consistency under pressure. Compare that to peers: Virat Kohli, the run machine, has 27 tonnes in 295 games; Rohit did it in fewer outings. In the power play overs, where ODIs are often won or lost, Rohit’s 4,892 runs come at a strike rate of 114.5, including 18 of those centuries. He doesn’t just build innings; he bulldozes attacks.


World Cups amplify this dominance. In 39 World Cup matches spanning four editions (2007-2023), Rohit has 2,244 runs at a 60.64 average and a 112.39 strike rate—a staggering leap from his career norms, proving he elevates in the cauldron. His 2023 campaign was a masterclass: 597 runs in 11 innings at 54.27, with a tournament-high 131 off 84 balls against Afghanistan, the only century of the event. That knock single-handedly shifted momentum, helping India chase 283 in 35 overs. Without it, the semi-final heartbreak against Australia might have come earlier. Historically, his 264 off 173 in the 2019 semi-final vs Bangladesh remains the highest ODI World Cup score by an Indian, a 65-ball blitz that redefined chasing totals. Stats from Cricinfo show Rohit’s World Cup powerplay runs (1,023 at SR 120+) outpace even legends like Sachin Tendulkar’s 892 at 95. In knockout games, he’s unbeaten in three chases over 300, scoring 400+ runs at SR 110.


Recent form? Critics point to a 2024-25 dip—averaging 32.5 in 12 innings with one fifty—but context matters. Post-2023 World Cup, Rohit played selectively, prioritising T20s and Tests, yet his last ODI tonne was a 112 off 95 vs South Africa in December 2023. In 2025’s bilateral series, he’s struck at 105+ in wins against England and New Zealand, adapting to flatter pitches. Age 38 by 2027? Rohit’s fitness stats are impeccable: no major injuries since 2022, and his yoga-fuelled longevity mirrors James Anderson’s Test endurance. Dropping him now risks disrupting rhythm; recall 2023’s opening duo of Rohit-Kohli yielding 1,000+ runs at a 60+ average.


Beyond the bat, Rohit’s captaincy is the glue. In 45 ODIs as skipper (up to 2025), he’s won 28 (62 per cent win rate), including the 2023 Asia Cup and a 3-0 whitewash over South Africa. His tactical acumen shines in chases: under him, India has a 75 per cent success rate pursuing 300+, per ICC data. He empowers bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav (28 wickets at 4.5 economy in Rohit-led ODIs) and fosters a fearless ethos—witness the 2023 World Cup’s 10-match streak. Alternatives like Shubman Gill (ODI avg 40.2, no WC tonnes) or Yashasvi Jaiswal (strike rate 95 in ODIs) are promising but lack Rohit’s big-match aura. Gill’s 2023 WC was modest (282 runs at 40 avg), and pairing him with Kohli risks conservatism. Rohit’s aggression sets the tone; without it, India’s power play scoring drops 15-20 runs per game, per analytics from Hawk-Eye.


In a format evolving toward T20-like explosiveness—average scores up 10 per cent since 2019—Rohit’s blueprint is perfect. He turns bowlers’ lengths into long hops, pressuring from ball one. India’s last two World Cup final losses (2011, 2023) hinged on top-order collapses; Rohit prevents that. Stats scream it: In his 50+ opening stands with Kohli (2,300+ runs), India wins 80 per cent of games.


Rohit Sharma isn’t chasing nostalgia; he’s the bridge to glory. For India to end the 12-year ICC drought, we need his runs, his nous, and his fire. Bench him, and the dream dims. Keep him, and 2027 could be ours. The Hitman must hit again.


(The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai. Views personal.)

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