Facts & Figures: Everything you should know about the Wankhede Stadium

By Jamie Alter

 

Born out of a dispute between the Bombay Cricket Association (now renamed Mumbai Cricket Association) and the Brabourne Stadium’s caretakers - the Cricket Club of India - over seating capacity, the Wankhede stadium has become a symbol of Mumbai and now home to the richest cricket board in the world. And it is no coincidence that the downfall of one empire led to the birth of another.

By Jamie Alter

 

Mumbai: Apr 1, 2011

 

While it doesn’t share the history or romance that older cricket grounds like Eden Gardens, Feroz Shah Kotla or Chepauk Stadium do, the Wankhede Stadium has its place in Indian cricket’s vast fabric. It stands as a beacon of Mumbai’s sporting culture, a hallowed venue where – despite its relatively short existence – a host of memorable matches and incidents have occurred. Its presence along Marine Drive is unmistakable, and over the years countless aspiring cricketers have toiled in the Mumbai heat at the stadium’s outdoor practice nets in hopes that they too will grace the outfield and dazzle with bat and ball in front of a packed house.

 

Born out of a dispute between the Bombay Cricket Association (now renamed Mumbai Cricket Association) and the Brabourne Stadium’s caretakers – the Cricket Club of India – over seating capacity, the stadium has become a symbol of Mumbai and now home to the richest cricket board in the world. And it is no coincidence that the downfall of one empire led to the birth of another.

 

Before the Wankhede was established, cricket matches in Bombay – as it was called then – used to take place at the Brabourne. In 1973, a long drawn out dispute between two cricket fractions reached a head after the Test match between India and England. Miffed at this, SK Wankhede, a politician and then BCA secretary, undertook the initiative to get a new venue constructed in the Churchgate area. Since the Wankhede hosted its first Test, between India and West Indies in 1975, the Brabourne has been relegated to a virtual memory while the newer stadium has overshadowed all in its wake.

 

The Wankhede, India’s second largest cricket ground, opened its gates to the public on March 13 when New Zealand took on Canada in a day match during the league phase. The next affair was another league match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand on March 18. Now comes the biggie, the final of the World Cup on April 2, the marquee match for which the stadium was refurbished.

 

A lot work has gone into the renovation of the Wankhede. Drainage has been improved, the main entrance has been widened, the north and south stands have been demolished and rebuilt, the East and West Stands have been refurbished, the roof has been raised, turning it into a cantilever roof, hard benches have been replaced by bucket seats, and strategic entrance and exit points have been added. Additionally, there will be 60 corporate press boxes situated around the circumference of the stadium, as well as an air-conditioned press box to hold 250 media personnel.

 

“The original stadium’s capacity was actually 37,000 but it was advertised as 46,000 because of the bleachers,” says PK Das, of PK Das & Associates, who were commissioned by the MCA to design the revamped stadium. “People could pile on if they liked, but that doesn’t make for a memorable viewing experience. In the new stadium, we have created a capacity of 38,000 and ensured an ideal viewing experience, largely enhanced because of the absence of any columns which previously would have obstructed vision. The 29-meter cantilevered roof is also a radical innovation, because it completely opens up the stands. No pillars or supports come in the way of the spectator’s view, and it really gives a feeling of suspended animation.”

 

“It was tough, needless to say, because we had been given 22 months to complete the project, and there was no adjacent land for expansion to accommodate the any requirements for additional activities,” adds Das. “Thus we had to completely rethink the venue’s layout and demolish the old structure. Construction of stadia has evolved since the original stadium was erected and we had to of course keep in mind the modern architectural style. The new stadium had to look grand and had to captivate the spectators’ imagination.”

 

Progress wasn’t smooth. Even before work began, the first issue arose in July 2008 when the proposed work on the old structure came in for criticism from members of the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee, who objected to an increase in the height of the facility. As per the original plans, the stadium’s capacity was to be increased by increasing the height to twice the existing height, which is from 16 m to 35 m, with three tiers of stands, thus increasing the existing seating capacity to 44,000. But the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee, which had been against the renovation plan since day one, felt the height should not exceed 29 m. Their stance remained unchallenged and it was decided that work would go ahead with the rider that the height can be increased only up to 29 metres.

 

The original date of complete was supposed to be October 2010, but a delay in progress owing to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Mumbai High Court last January left many officials sweating and the MCA’s plans to hold Ranji Trophy games at the newly-constructed venue took a back seat. Mumbai were scheduled to play their Ranji Trophy game against Assam on November 24, but with only 70 per cent of the outfield complete and work required on clearing debris and pipes lying around, that match was shifted to the BKC ground.

 

Das feels it is credit to his team and others involved in the work that the new stadium was able to be handed over to the MCA on December 10. “We hit a snag and lost four months due to the PIL filed, owing to which work on the south stand was suspended pending the court verdict, and apart from such legal hurdles, we were set back by the arrival of the south-west monsoon. But everyone worked extremely diligently and the final product is testament to our endeavours.”

 

Every ICC norm has been adhered to, stresses Das. “When we made our presentation nine months ago, the ICC delegation was extremely pleased. We have had no complaints from them and their regular check-ups have been positive.”

 

Positive words, but time will tell how the cricketing public embraces the refurbished stadium, and whether the venue lives up to its reputation as one of India’s most famous venues.

 

Wankhede Stadium Fact File:

 

Home team: Mumbai, Mumbai Indians

 

Opened: January 23, 1975

 

Capacity: 44,000 (1974) 38,000 (2010)

 

Dimensions: 35,000 Sqmt (2010 renovation)

 

Surface: Traditionally batsmen-friendly, with some assistance for spinner

 

Architect: Shashi Prabhu and Associates (1974, 2010 renovation) PK Das and Associates (2010 renovation)

 

Owner: Mumbai Cricket Association (1974-present)

 

Contractor: B.E. Billimoria and Company (1974), Larsen & Toubro (2010 renovation)

 

Cost: 300 crore (2010 renovation)

 

Memorable Moments:

 

January 17, 1987: The first ODI played here saw India beat Sri Lanka by 10 runs in a memorable contest, one that provided the highest runs-per-over quotient in international cricket. Mohammad Azharuddin’s unbeaten 108 took India to 299, but Sri Lanka replied with bravado through Roshan Mahanama’s 98 and a brisk 34 from Asanka Gurusinha. Once the two were separated, India managed to win.

 

November 5, 1987: India’s aspirations of defending their World Cup title, and the subcontinent’s hopes of an India-Pakistan final, came crashing down as Graham Gooch swept aside the home team in the semi-final. It was also Sunil Gavaskar’s last appearance for India.

 

February 27, 1996: The first floodlit match at Wankhede saw Mark Waugh – who became the first man to score consecutive World Cup centuries – and Sachin Tendulkar dazzle the full house with some glorious batting. But, yet again, India were on the losing side.

 

February 3, 2002: In an extraordinary match, England pulled off a thrilling win over India by just five runs under floodlights. Chasing 256 to win the game and the series, India fell short as Ashley Giles grabbed five wickets before Andrew Flintoff delighted his team-mates, and the photographers, by ripping off his shirt in celebration after he bowled Javagal Srinath to tie the series.

 

October 17, 2007: In the last ODI played at the Wankhede before the renovations began, India downed Australia in a humdinger. Spurred on by left-arm spinner Murali Kartik’s record 6 for 27, India were then made to really hustle and were indebted to Kartik, who scored a chancy 21 not out as India squeezed home by two wickets.

 

(Jamie Alter is a freelance cricket writer, having worked at ESPNcricinfo and All Sports Magazine. His first book, The History of World Cup Cricket, is out now. His twitter feed is @jamie_alter)

 

Pictures © Getty Images

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