Wankhede Stadium is a cricket stadium located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It was built in 1974 and has a seating capacity of around 33,000 spectators. The stadium is named after the Maharashtra Cricket Association’s former president, Sheshrao Wankhede.
The Wankhede Stadium has been the venue for several significant cricketing moments. The stadium hosted the 2011 World Cup final, where India won their second World Cup title by defeating Sri Lanka. It has also been the venue for several IPL matches, including the home matches of the Mumbai Indians.
The Wankhede Stadium has a reputation for being a batting-friendly pitch, which has led to several high-scoring matches being played at the venue. The highest team score at the stadium is 240-3 by the Royal Challengers Bangalore against the Mumbai Indians in 2015.
The stadium has undergone several renovations over the years to upgrade its facilities and seating capacity. The most recent renovation took place in 2011 ahead of the 2011 World Cup, where new stands were constructed, and the seating capacity was increased.
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Apart from cricket, the Wankhede Stadium has also hosted other events, including concerts and political rallies. The stadium is located in the heart of Mumbai and is easily accessible by public transport.
The Wankhede Stadium is considered one of the most iconic cricket venues in the world, and its history is deeply intertwined with the history of Indian cricket.
History of Wankhede Stadium:
Wankhede Cricket Stadium was built in 1974 and was named after the former president of the Maharashtra Cricket Association, Sheshrao Wankhede. The stadium was constructed to replace the Brabourne Stadium as the primary cricketing venue in Mumbai.
Also Read: History of Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium, Kolkata
Notable Cricketing Moments at Wankhede Stadium:
- 2011 World Cup Final: The Wankhede Stadium hosted the final of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, where India defeated Sri Lanka to win their second World Cup title. The atmosphere at the stadium was electric, with the home crowd cheering on their team to victory.
- Sachin Tendulkar’s Farewell Test Match: The Wankhede Stadium was the venue for Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell Test match against the West Indies in 2013. Tendulkar, who announced his retirement from international cricket, played his last match in front of his home crowd at the stadium.
- Mumbai Indians’ IPL Triumphs: The Mumbai Indians, the home team of the Wankhede Stadium, have won the Indian Premier League (IPL) on multiple occasions. The stadium has witnessed some thrilling matches, with the Mumbai Indians clinching victory in the final overs of the game.
- High-Scoring Matches: The Wankhede Stadium is known for being a batting-friendly pitch, and several high-scoring matches have been played at the venue. One of the most memorable matches was the IPL 2015 match between the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bangalore, where the Royal Challengers scored 240-3, the highest team score at the stadium.
- India vs Pakistan Matches: The Wankhede Stadium has hosted several India vs Pakistan matches, which are always highly anticipated by cricket fans. One of the most memorable matches was the 2011 World Cup semi-final between the two teams, where India emerged victorious in front of a packed stadium.
Also Read: History of Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
Stadium Facilities:
The Wankhede Stadium has undergone several renovations over the years to upgrade its facilities and seating capacity. The most recent renovation took place in 2011 ahead of the 2011 World Cup, where new stands were constructed, and the seating capacity was increased.
Also Read: History of Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Location and Accessibility:
The Wankhede Stadium is located in the heart of Mumbai, making it easily accessible by public transport. The stadium is situated in the Churchgate area of Mumbai and is easily reachable by local trains and buses.
Other Events at Wankhede Stadium:
Apart from cricket, the Wankhede Stadium has also hosted other events, including concerts and political rallies. The stadium has played host to several high-profile concerts by international artists, including Bryan Adams and Guns N’ Roses.
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