Wankhede Stadium: History, Pitch and Key Matches in Mumbai

Wankhede Stadium sits close to the Arabian Sea in south Mumbai and is one of the best-known cricket venues in India. Built in the early 1970s, it is run by the Mumbai Cricket Association and serves as the home ground of Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy and of the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

Origins

The stadium was named after S. K. Wankhede, a former president of the Mumbai Cricket Association. It was built in 1974 after a disagreement over ticket allocation at the nearby Brabourne Stadium, and it staged its first Test, against West Indies, in January 1975. It has a capacity of about 33,000, and the stands are close to the field, which helps create a lively atmosphere.

Pitch and conditions

Wankhede’s surface is known for pace and bounce and for offering a true carry to the wicketkeeper, which encourages stroke-making. The boundaries are not especially large and the outfield is quick, so totals in limited-overs games are often high. The proximity of the sea can bring humidity and, at night, dew, which tends to favour sides chasing.

Landmark matches

The ground’s most famous night came on 2 April 2011, when India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the World Cup final, with MS Dhoni finishing the chase with a six. In November 2013 it hosted the final Test of Sachin Tendulkar’s career, played against West Indies in front of his home crowd. During the 2023 World Cup, Glenn Maxwell scored an unbeaten 201 for Australia against Afghanistan here, one of the great one-day innings, and the venue also staged a semi-final in which India beat New Zealand.

Role in the IPL

As the base of the Mumbai Indians, Wankhede has staged IPL fixtures since the competition began in 2008. Its history of high scores and its central location in Mumbai make it a popular venue for broadcasters and supporters alike.