The iconic Wankhede Cricket Stadium is set to a Test after a three-year gap as reports suggest that the stadium in Maharashtra’s capital city will play host to the game between India and New Zealand during its 50th anniversary year.
The Kiwis are set to tour India in a three-match Test series around October-November this year, with Wankhede set to hold the final Test. The last Test to be played at the historic ground in Mumbai was back in the year 2021 as the Indian national side welcomed the Kiwis.
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The previous Test to be held at the fabled stadium in Mumbai was also a fixture between India and New Zealand, in which the hosts registered a landmark 372-run win as they bundled out the visiting Kiwis for a paltry total of 62 runs in the first innings. The game also happens to be the one in which Kiwi spinner Ajaz Patel made history by scalping all 10 Indian wickets in a single innings, which put him on par with the legendary Jim Laker and Anil Kumble.
A 25 per cent occupancy was permitted for the Test citing relaxation in the COVID protocols.
Wankhede held a women’s Test in December 2023 as India welcomed Australia.
Wankhede also hosted five ODI games during the ICC World Cup, however, the 2023-24 season saw no game slated at the hallowed ground in Mumbai as other venues, which did not host World Cup games, were given preference.
The stadium was also the ground where India lifted the World Cup in 2011 as MS Dhoni led the men in blue to the highest accolade in 50-over cricket with a win over Sri Lanka in the final.
The aura around Wankhde was also given a sheen as it also played host to the final professional Test outing for the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in the year 2013 as the city’s favourite son drew curtains on his landmark career.
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