Sometimes disputes may serve as a prerequisite for an outstanding invention or construction. One of Mumbai’s historic and remarkable cricket stadiums has left a lasting impact on all players and fans. The fascinating story of how Wankhede Stadium came to be is the outcome of an unexpected scenario.
Every cricket stadium in India has its own unique story about how it came about, including the MA Cricket Stadium in Chennai.
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Wankhede Stadium Profile
| Stadium Profile | |
| Location | Mumbai, India |
| Established | 1974 |
| Owned by | Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) |
| Capacity | 33,000 |
| Home ground for | Mumbai Indians (IPL) & MCA |
| Stands Named After | Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, and Vijay Merchant |
The Culture of Cricket in Mumbai
Mumbai is very proud of the history of cricket, which is deeply rooted in its culture. Back in 1931, the Mumbai Cricket Association finally became a ruling body to manage cricket in the city. As of now, this city is still regarded as a powerful cricket hub, as Mumbai has claimed as many as 42 Ranji Trophy tournaments, the record in the history of Indian first-class cricket.
It is hardly possible to imagine cricket without such horses of Indian cricket as Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, or Rohit Sharma, who all hail from this city.
Mumbai is also home to the iconic Wankhede Stadium, which has hosted many historic matches, including the finals of the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2020 Champions League Twenty20. The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Mumbai Indians, is one of the most successful teams in the league, having clinched the title a record five times.
The Days Before the Wankhede Era
Bombay Gymkhana was originally reserved for a selected view. Nevertheless, in 1933, it hosted a record crowd in what was India’s first-ever test match against England. Although temporary stands can accommodate people, test match attendance remains typically low nowadays.
The ground witnessed the country’s first test century and five wickets from an Indian. However, no further test matches occurred at the venue until 1948, since World War II. Therefore, the Brabourne Stadium became Mumbai’s test match venue.
Ironically, the Cricket Club of India, which built its ground for test matches, preceded the first test by just a month. The club decided Bombay should be its home in 1937. Despite 17 test matches, a dispute led to the creation of a new stadium, Wankhede.
How Wankhede Stadium was Built from Dispute
A dispute between the Bombay Cricket Association (BCA) and the Cricket Club of India (CCI) regarding the distribution of tickets for the matches held at the Brabourne Stadium resulted in the creation of an iconic Wankhede Stadium. This disagreement reached a boiling point in 1973.
The person who initiated the construction, Sheshrao Wankhede, decided to express his dissatisfaction by building a separate stadium for the BCA as a response to the CCI’s alleged arrogant position. The work was accomplished under the guidance of Shashi Prabhu and lasted almost a year. Thus, to commemorate the initiator of this construction, the new stadium was named Sheshrao Krishnarao Wankhede.
To honor the man who spearheaded the project, the newly built stadium was named after Sheshrao Krishnarao Wankhede. This marked a significant moment in Mumbai’s cricketing history, and the Wankhede Stadium has gone on to host many legendary matches.
Notable Cricket Moments at Wankhede Stadium
The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has been a witness to some of Indian cricket’s most electrifying moments. A few of the ones worth mentioning are as follows:
- India’s World Cup Victory (2011): It probably was the most iconic moment at the Wankhede. The home crowd was on its toes as India won the 2011 World Cup. MS Dhoni hit the winning six on the final ball. It was the ending to a match that was described by those few who could have seen India win the game in any other way.
- Sachin Tendulkar’s Farewell (2013): Sachin Tendulkar, one of the most iconic cricketers internationally, received his farewell at this stadium. It was the final test match of his legendary career. Although India lost the match, Tendulkar was given the guard of honor by all his teammates. Tendulkar had announced his retirement after this match. The crowds were moved by the emotions shown by the ‘God of Cricket’.
Final Words
The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was not the outcome of great planning but of a dispute. But this scenario resulted in a historic moment for cricket fans in India, including their World Cup victory in 2011 and the farewell game of Sachin Tendulkar. There’s nothing like the passion for this stadium; the most important thing is that it builds bonds between players and supporters.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What led to the building of Wankhede Stadium?
The history of the stadium is associated with a dispute. The members of the Bombay Cricket Association could not agree with the Cricket Club of India on tickets distribution of the matches at Brabourne Stadium, so the situation led to a conflict in 1973. Then Sheshrao Wankhede left, considering the establishment of a new stadium that was named after him, Wankhede Stadium.
Who was Sheshrao Wankhede and what was his role in the stadium’s construction?
Sheshrao Wankehede, a former president of the Mumbai Cricket Association. He was not happy with the stand of the Cricket Club of India over ticket distribution in Brabourne Stadium. This reaction led him to be behind the establishment of the new stadium for the parallel Mumbai Cricket Association. Construction of the stadium, which was completed around 1974, took approximately one year.
What was the original cricket stadium in Mumbai?
Brabourne Stadium has been in service since 1948. It was the original cricket stadium in Mumbai for Test matches and served as such right up until Wankhede Stadium came to fruition.