How well do you know Wankhede Stadium?

IPL is all set to kick off on March 26 with a clash between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium. Both teams are aiming for a perfect start to their IPL campaign by winning their first match in Mumbai. Under the new guidelines, all 70 matches will be played in four venues in Maharashtra, providing undeniable help to Mumbai Indians who enjoy playing at home.

Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is considered to be India’s most iconic cricket ground and has given some happy memories to all the cricket fans in the country. The 2011 World Cup final where India won the title after a long drought took place only at Wankhede Stadium. While the stadium is all set to host 20 games of the Indian Premier League, Crictracker looks back at some interesting stats related to the stadium, which will help us better understand the venue.

Here’s everything you need to know about Wankhede Stadium

Origin of Wankhede Stadium:

India’s most iconic stadium grew out of a struggle between the Cricket Club of India, which owns Brabourne Stadium, and the Bombay Cricket Association (now MCA) over the allocation of tickets to cricket matches. At the initiative of SK Wankhede, then secretary of the Mumbai Cricket Association, BCA built the new stadium in South Bombay near Churchgate station. It was built in about 13 months and opened in time for the final test between India and the West Indies in 1975. The stadium’s architect was Shashi Prabhu.

Since then, Wankhede Stadium has assumed the status of the premier cricket venue in the city. Wankhede Stadium was named after the President of the Association, Barrister Sheshrao Wankhede in 1974.

Address of the stadium:

Vinoo Mankad Rd, Churchgate, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400020

The capacity of the stadium:

33.108

Stands at Wankhede Stadium:

Sunil Gavaskar Stand

North Stand

Vijay Merchant Stand

Sachin Tendulkar Stand

MCA standard

Vitthal Divecha Stand

Garware Stand

big grandstand

First test match at Wankhede Stadium:

India vs. West Indies in 1974/75:

Clive Lloyd scored an unbeaten 242 and in Pataudi’s last hurrah, India lost by 201 runs. The game also witnessed crowd disturbance after a fan who ran to the floor to greet Lloyd was assaulted by police.

Some interesting archives:

Ravi Shastri’s six sixes in an over from Baroda’s Tilak Raj in Ranji Trophy, en route to the fastest double hundred in first-class cricket, were recorded on this ground in 1984-85. His unbeaten 200 in 113 minutes on 123 balls with 13 fours and 13 sixs on this ground is the fastest double century in first-class cricket.

* Stadium also hosted the last international match of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar in 2013.

* The highest score by an Indian at Wankhede Stadium is Virat Kohli’s 235 against England in 2016–17.

tthe most celebrated match at Wankhede Stadium:

2011 Cricket World Cup

India vs Sri Lanka: India won the match by 6 wickets

Wankhede Stadium and IPL:

While Wankhede Stadium has hosted IPL’s most successful franchise, the venue only needs to host one IPL final. The event took place in 2018 and the battle for ultimate glory was between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The match brought out the best of Shane Watson, who scored an unbeaten 117 in just 57 balls to secure the win for the Chennai franchise. Previously, SRH posted 178/6 in 20 overs on the back of Kane Williamson’s 47 out of 36.

IPL’s record at Wankhede Stadium:

Highest total:

235/1 by RCB vs Mumbai Indians

Lowest Total:

67 all out by KKR vs MI

Most IPL versions:

Rohit Sharma (1733)

Most IPL Wickets:

Lasith Malinga (68)

Highest individual score:

AB de Villiers (133)

Best bowling:

Harbhajan Singh (18/5)