The Wankhede stadium has been a successful stadium where Mumbai Indians have found a lot of cheer, love, results and most importantly, titles. The stadium has a special place among India’s cricket fortresses and MI too have gone ahead to enjoy its share of moments here.
The IPL 2018 is set to see the qualifier and the finale to be played here in Mumbai, besides hosting MI’s home games. Wankhede has played host to MI since 2011 season and the side have won three titles in this historic ground namely in 2013, 2015 and 2017 respectively.
Wankhede is considered as one of the most iconic grounds of the world and has been popular since decades.
A SPECIAL ENTITY
Built in 1974, after former Mumbai Cricket Association president SK Wankhede, the stadium was built near by the sea at a cost of Rs 1.87 crore. Since then it has gone on to host 25 Test matches, 21 ODIs and six T20Is. The stadium has a seating capacity of 33,000 after its renovation in 2011 because of the ICC World Cup.
CENTRE OF DISCUSSION
The stadium has found itself in the centre of the discussion over the years. Former Aussie star Andrew Symonds was subjected to racial chants. Also Kolkata Knight Riders owner and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan was briefly banned from the stadium after being blamed for hurling obscenities at security staff.
ICONIC MOMENTS
Some of cricket’s most iconic names have passed through the Wankhede’s pavilion. From Sunil Gavaskar, Ian Botham to Sachin Tendulkar, the stadium has witnessed a lot of historic moments over the years.
When Shastri gave his all: Former India player Ravi Shastri had hit six sixes in an over in a domestic cricket match. He was only the second player after Sir Garfield Sobers to do so. The present India head coach had achieved this feat for Mumbai against Baroda in the 1984-85 Ranji Trophy season.
India’s 2011 WC win: The biggest moment Wankhede has witnessed was the ICC 2011 World Cup win under MS Dhoni’s leadership. India sealed the coveted tournament after a period of 28 years. The hosts beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final and script one of the most historic moments in the history of the game.
When the ‘Master’ bid adieu:Â One of the legendary cricketers of the world, the great Sachin Tendulkar got the chance to bid adieu to the game in 2o13. He played his final Test which was his 200th in the format against the West Indies.
THE CONDITIONSÂ AND THE TALE
The ground is favoured by many players for its unique red soil pitch. Being close to the sea, the breeze has aided swing throughout. Since Mumbai s a sea-city, the dew factor is very high and hence teams batting second have a high advantage. It is a batting wicket for shorter formats of the game.High scoring games are witnessed regularly during IPL.
It has been a sort of identity for cricket lovers in India. The stadium is a symbol of Mumbai and the cricket the city has always been represented as. Like the Lord’s, Eden Gardens and Johannesburg, the Wankhede has been an epitome as one of the most celebrated grounds.
FLASHBACKS IN IPL
It has played homage to three IPL titles won by the Mumbai Indians. The highest score scripted in this stadium has been by Royal Challengers Bangalore, who scripted 235/1 in 2015. That in turn is also the fifth highest total amassed in IPL history.
Recently, KXIP posted 230/3 on May 11, 2017 as they held their nerves to win the tie by 7 runs. The lowest score was notched by Chennai in 2013 when they were folded for 79 runs. It was also the ninth lowest score scripted in IPL history.
IPL STAT BOX – WANKHEDE
- MI have the highest score margin win against the Delhi Daredevils (146) in 2017.
- MI also notched the fifth, sixth and seventh lowest winning margin here by 4, 5 and 8 runs respectively.
- Dinesh Karthik and Rohit Sharma have the highest record partnership in this ground for MI (132).
- Sachin Tendulkar scored his only IPL century against the Kochi Tuskers in 2011 at the Wankhede.
- Sachin’s 100* is also the highest score by an individual at this venue.