Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, is one of the most iconic cricket venues and will celebrate 50 years on January 19. It holds a special place in Indian cricket history, hosting the unforgettable 2011 World Cup final where India lifted the trophy with Dhoni’s Iconic six and Sachin Tendulkar played his farewell Test in 2013, brings the entire nation into tears.
History of Wankhede Stadium
Built in 1974, it was constructed after a dispute between the Bombay Cricket Association (BCA) and the Cricket Club of India, who managed Brabourne Stadium. To resolve this, the BCA built the Wankhede Stadium, located just a mile away, with a seating capacity of 45,000.
The stadium hosted its first Test match during the 1974-75 season, when India faced the West Indies. In that game, Clive Lloyd scored a remarkable 242 not out, and it marked the final Test for India’s legendary captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi.
India’s first win at Wankhede came two seasons later, against New Zealand. The Stadium was named after S. K. Wankhede. Sheshrao Krishnarao Wankhede (24 September 1914 – 30 January 1988) who was a cricket administrator and politician.
Over the years, Wankhede has witnessed numerous historic moments. Like Sunil Gavaskar scored a brilliant 205 against the West Indies in 1978-79, and Vinod Kambli made an unforgettable 224 against England in 1992-93.
Ravi Shastri famously hit six sixes in an over during a domestic match here in 1985, achieving the fastest double-century in first-class cricket at the time.
The stadium also saw Ian Botham’s all-round brilliance in the 1980 Jubilee Test, where he scored a century and took 13 wickets to help England defeat India.
Initially, Wankhede’s seaside location gives swing bowlers an edge due to the breeze, but after its renovation for the 2011 World Cup, this impact was reduced.
It has a great significance were Mumbai have two stadiums Brabourne Stadium & Wankhede Stadium, while Navi Mumbai have one stadium naming D.Y. Patil Stadium.
The pitch is generally good for batting, but the red soil makes it spin-friendly on the final days of Tests. A memorable low-scoring match occurred in 2005 when India defeated Australia in under three days on a pitch that turned sharply from the start.
The stadium is also famous for its stands named after cricket legends such as Vijay Merchant, Sunil Gavaskar, and Sachin Tendulkar.
